The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Romans 7:13b,
"Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful."
Here is Paul's response to a huge error that existed in his day, and is just as prevalent today, if not more so. The "it" in the above quote is the law God gave Moses, and specifically the decalogue, the Ten Commandments. As Paul discusses this he uses the tenth commandment as his illustration, however, he is looking at the entire Torah, all the law God gave Moses. Nonetheless, he uses the prohibition of coveting as his example.
In this passage, Paul points out that believers, Christians, are no longer under the law, and specifically the Ten Commandments. He says, "For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." Romans 7:5-6.
Naturally it would be asked, if Christians are no longer under the Ten Commandments, then of what purpose was the law? Here he answers that. The law was given by God to Moses to expose the sinful condition of mankind. The point being that mankind, unable to keep the law and recognizing their sinful condition that was exposed by it, would be driven to throw themselves at God's mercy.
As Paul develops his discussion of this, he points out that no one could ever keep the law. It is a hopeless pursuit. In trying to keep the law, the sinful nature is exposed within a person's heart with the intention of prompting them to recognize the need for a savior. No one feels a need for being saved unless he recognizes he is in peril. That, specifically, was the purpose of the law.
Why then do so many churches teach that we all should seek to keep the law? Very simply, most churches subordinate God's word to their own perceived theology. The theology is in error, and unless people spend time in their Bibles, they will continue to pursue what their parents thought, what good 'ole pastor Brown taught and/or what they assume the Bible teaches.
The immediate question so many people ask when confronted with this truth is, "Then are you saying anybody can do whatever they want and still get to heaven?" My answer is a resounding "Yes!" Since the "new man", someone who has experienced the "second birth" Scripture speaks of, has the Holy Spirit dwelling within, the things we desire have changed.
In the following chapter Paul says, "You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ." Romans 8:9. And in verse 5 of that chapter he says, "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."
"Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful."
Here is Paul's response to a huge error that existed in his day, and is just as prevalent today, if not more so. The "it" in the above quote is the law God gave Moses, and specifically the decalogue, the Ten Commandments. As Paul discusses this he uses the tenth commandment as his illustration, however, he is looking at the entire Torah, all the law God gave Moses. Nonetheless, he uses the prohibition of coveting as his example.
In this passage, Paul points out that believers, Christians, are no longer under the law, and specifically the Ten Commandments. He says, "For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." Romans 7:5-6.
Naturally it would be asked, if Christians are no longer under the Ten Commandments, then of what purpose was the law? Here he answers that. The law was given by God to Moses to expose the sinful condition of mankind. The point being that mankind, unable to keep the law and recognizing their sinful condition that was exposed by it, would be driven to throw themselves at God's mercy.
As Paul develops his discussion of this, he points out that no one could ever keep the law. It is a hopeless pursuit. In trying to keep the law, the sinful nature is exposed within a person's heart with the intention of prompting them to recognize the need for a savior. No one feels a need for being saved unless he recognizes he is in peril. That, specifically, was the purpose of the law.
Why then do so many churches teach that we all should seek to keep the law? Very simply, most churches subordinate God's word to their own perceived theology. The theology is in error, and unless people spend time in their Bibles, they will continue to pursue what their parents thought, what good 'ole pastor Brown taught and/or what they assume the Bible teaches.
The immediate question so many people ask when confronted with this truth is, "Then are you saying anybody can do whatever they want and still get to heaven?" My answer is a resounding "Yes!" Since the "new man", someone who has experienced the "second birth" Scripture speaks of, has the Holy Spirit dwelling within, the things we desire have changed.
In the following chapter Paul says, "You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ." Romans 8:9. And in verse 5 of that chapter he says, "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."
So then, yes! Those who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith do what they want, and it is not the same that sinners want to do. Believers may stumble, sin, disappoint themselves, God and others, but the indwelling Holy Spirit is faithful to prompt such a believer in such circumstance to get up, brush themselves off, and seek to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, the appropriate worship for us all. It is a more demanding approach in serving the Lord than keeping the law, but one in which the Spirit enables us.
Believers are to serve God in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the law. For believers, the law has already accomplished its purpose.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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