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 6 of 17

PAUL'S PERSONAL TESTIMONY

In a bold announcement of the ineffectiveness of "the Law" as a means to righteousness, Paul shares the effects of an imposed moral code upon him. The effect took place when he was zealous for "the Law," diligently endeavoring to please God in the energy of his own flesh. First, he speaks for all men, then he shares his own experience under "the Law."

"For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death" (Rom 7:5 KJV). We were "in the flesh" when we were "without Christ." Notice the relationship of sin to the known Law at that time. The "motions of sins," or "sinful passions" were actually "aroused by the Law" (NASB, NIV)--which gave us the "knowledge of sin." The human nature had been so corrupted by sin that a good and holy Law caused sin to erupt within. If information concerning human conduct could save a soul, this could not be the case!

Sin Took Occasion Through the Commandment

Paul confirms the reality of the affirmation by citing his own experience. "But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead" (Rom 7:8 NASB). The Apostle was not a profligate before he was in Christ Jesus. By his own testimony, "as to the righteousness which is in the Law," he was "found blameless" (Phil 3:6). That righteousness was external piety, and did not require grace or Christ to achieve! Those who imagine they have achieved merit by living morally pure lives are deceived! Paul was in a condemned state while he was "found blameless" as to "the righteousness which is in the Law."

The ministry of the Law was found in its discovery of Paul's real situation. While he had managed to subdue external infractions of the Law, covetousness lurked within his breast. "Seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment," Paul confesses, sin "produced in me every kind of covetous desire" (NIV). Mark it well, "the Law" did not encourage covetousness, nor did it leave the impression that it would go unpunished. It strictly forbade this sin (Ex 20:17). Paul knew "the Law" did not allow covetousness--he had the information on proper involvements of the soul. He was also an astute thinker, having excelled his equals in the most disciplined and regimented faction of Jewish leadership. Armed with that information, however, he did not achieve victory over covetousness. Covetousness conquered him, striking him down to the ground. Information--true and good information--was not enough!

Sin Was Dead Apart From the Law

"Apart from the Law," Paul affirms, "sin is dead." By this, he does not mean sin did not exist. It remained within like a putrid carcass, corrupting the whole of the man. The Law, standing at the door of the festering soul of man, summoned sin from its stinking tomb. Mind you, sin had not been removed. In fact, it had not even been buried. It was stirred into activity by the sound of the commandment. Awakened by the solemnity of Divine requirements, the principle of sin rose in defiance against God, exerting controlling influence over the sinner.

When the slumbering giant of sin arose from its dead state, it induced spiritual death in us. "For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died" (Rom 7:9 KJV). By saying "I died," Paul means he experienced alienation from God--he knew he was not accepted by the Lord. His conscience became defiled by the conviction of his addiction to sin. This is the experience of all men living under the Law, confessed or not.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus that after the Law had done its work against me, You told me through the Gospel of the work Jesus did for me!

-- Tomorrow: APPROVED PREACHERS --