DEAD TO THE LAW

"Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." (Romans 7:1-4).

Devotion 1 of 17

INTRODUCTION

What is the relationship of the believer to the Law of God? This is a subject that has been fiercely debated over the centuries. Some have elected to speak disparagingly of God's Law, as though it provided in unacceptable representation of the Living God. We must avoid such foolish thinking. Nothing that God gave is evil or undeserving of our highest regard.

What Is Meant By "Law?"

The expression "the Law" is mentioned repeatedly in the new covenant writings. Jesus affirmed His mission was not to destroy "the Law" (Matt 5:17). John declared "the Law was given by Moses" (John 1:17), and Stephen said it was "given by the disposition of angels" (Acts 7:53). In a remarkable capsule of Jewish history, Paul further narrowed the concept to "the Law of Moses," declaring it incapable of justifying men from "all things" (Acts 13:39). In his letter to the Galatians, Paul identified the giving of the Law as "430 years after" the covenant of blessing made with Abraham (Gal 3:17). As I will be using the phrase, "the Law" refers what was given by God through angels, to Moses. at Mount Sinai. It was inculcated upon Israel as a covenant, forming the basis for their relation to the Living God.

The Law As A Basis For Righteousness

"The Law" refers more particularly to the Ten Commandments as a basis for righteousness. Of these commandments, God said to Moses, "I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written" (Ex 24:12). From that time, Moses referred to as "the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant" (Deut 9:9). Later, the Spirit referred to these tables as "the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones" (2 Cor 3:7).

The Law, or the "words of the covenant, the ten commandments" (Ex 34:28), was unyielding in its requirements, identifying what men were to do, and what they were not to do. There was no mercy to cover sin under the Law, and no grace to teach men how to avoid sin and embrace righteousness. It did not change the heart, alter the affection, or require that men trust God.

Subjectively Speaking

Subjectively, "the Law" identified sin (Rom 3:20). As such, it is called the "law of commandments contained in ordinances" (Eph 2:5, KJV, NASB). The NIV translates this term "regulations." It comes from a word that means "a law, decree, or ordinance." As used in this text, it stands for a revealed code of ethics or conduct.

The Law Presumes Recalcitrance

A vital concept is seen in this view. "The Law" presumed recalcitrance in those to whom it was addressed. It is common for people to think of the Law as a body of information for those that are unlearned, standing in need of moral direction. This is not the case, however. "The Law" addresses people that have rejected God, choosing their own way. They are people that are fundamentally at variance with God, being unlike Him in thought, word, and deed. Taken seriously, "the Law" acts as a restrainer to wayward people, which describes the entire human race.

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You in the name of Jesus for sending a Savior who brought both grace and truth, after the law was given.

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