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 11 of 17

IDENTITY WITH CHRIST'S DEATH BRINGS IDENTITY WITH HIS RESURRECTION

When we are identified with Christ's death, we are, by that very association, also identified with His resurrection. This is a certainty that cannot be negated by men or demons. As it is written, "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life . . . Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him" (Rom 6:6,8). Our relationship to Christ's life is what seals our death to the Law!

The Law Is Not the Rule of Righteousness

Let it be clear what "death to the Law" means! This is a phrase affirming that the rule of righteousness is no longer the Law! Faith now stands as the only door to righteousness--a state of full acceptance with God. The Law cannot condemn us, because God has forgiven us. It cannot point out our sin, because it has been taken away! As forgiven people, the righteousness of the Law is now fulfilled in us (Rom 8:4). God's own righteousness has been "imputed," or credited, to us because of our faith in Christ, NOT because we have satisfied the demands of the Law. Remember, the Law required absolute righteousness, not a partial one (which condition is not possible by means of human effort alone).

THE REASON FOR THE DEATH

Becoming dead to the Law is not an end of itself; it is a means to an appointed end. In the spiritual realm, the same rules apply as in the natural one. You can be married to only one. We are either married to the Law, which condemns, or to Jesus, Who justifies. Our marriage to the Law was dissolved when we were joined to Christ's death. This freed us to be "joined to the Lord" (1 Cor 6:17), or "married to another." The Divine objective is not simply to relieve us of the condemnation of the Law, but to bring us into union with Jesus.

Married to Another

How beautifully the cause is stated! " . . . that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised fro the dead . . . " (Rom 7:4a). To be "joined" to Christ is to become "one" with Him. This is what our Savior prayed for in John 17:20-24). This union--initiated by the new birth, and consummated in glory--is the means through which Divine fellowship is realized. It is the vehicle through which blessings are appropriated and spiritual growth attained. There can be no advancement in heavenly life without this union. A distance between the individual and sin cannot be achieved independently of being "joined to the Lord." It is the key to every facet of spiritual life, and it cannot be accomplished without becoming "dead to the Law."

Those who hold to the Law-principle, as though Divine approval could be attained thereby, only cut themselves off from God! People who make a habit of speaking in defense of regimentation and personal disciple as the keys to spiritual success are on the brink of eternal ruin. Their position does not require a Savior and Intercessor because it teaches them to rely upon human resources for spiritual achievement.

Let it be clear in your mind. Identity with the resurrection life of Jesus necessitates identity with His death. God Himself raises us from that death in order that we might walk in newness of life. There are no exceptions to this rule, "If we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, WE SHALL ALSO BE IN THE LIKENESS OF HIS RESURRECTION: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that IS dead IS freed from sin" (Rom 6:5-7).

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ that, in Him, death results in life!

-- Tomorrow: WHAT THE REAL PREACHER IS NOT --