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 5 of 17

MORAL LAXITY NOT ALLOWED

Salvation, in all of its aspects, makes no allowance for laxity in the matter of morality. It is necessary to affirm this strongly, lest sophists attempt to justify their spiritually sloven lives. Those imagining freedom from the Law allows for moral laxity do greatly err. Under NO conditions will the "unrighteous" inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9). It is "because of" their moral infractions that the wrath of God will "come" upon them. As it is written, "For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience" (Eph 5:5- 6).

In a day when sin is glibly excused, it is necessary for these points to be made. These are not, however, the heart and core of our Gospel. It is true, there are movements today that accentuate human conduct, making it their sole focus. We emphatically will not oppose any effort to encourage and promote holiness. At some point, however, the individual must rise higher, into "heavenly places," where blessings may be obtained. (Eph 1:3). If those blessings are not appropriated, improved conduct counts for nothing--absolutely nothing!

The Gospel Announcement

The Gospel is not a proclamation of things to do in order to avoid condemnation. Rather, it announces a message to be believed. As rudimentary as it may seem, "the Gospel of Christ is THE power of God unto salvation . . . " (Rom 1:16). It, and it alone, brings hope to the human race! It announces amnesty, proclaims propitiation, and reports reconciliation. It announces that God has done what men could not do, that a way has been opened into heaven, and that the "works of the devil" have been "destroyed" ( 1 John 3:8). It is a message of Divine achievement, not an outline for human success. If this is offensive to you, you must seek "the wisdom from above" to see the truth of it (Job 28:28; James 3:15,17). There is no other way to obtain the approval and blessing of Almighty God!

Through personal faith, God's own righteousness will be imputed to the believer. Repeatedly this is affirmed in God's Word, in order that our hearts may appropriate the truth. For example, Abraham "staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification" (Rom 4:19-25).

The Law made no such provision! It did not announce a righteousness available to sinners. It brought no grace to cover the past, and no strength to appropriate the future. When it comes to humanity, "the Law" condemns, it does not justify!

PRAYER POINT: Father,

-- Tomorrow: PAUL'S PERSONAL TESTIMONY --