July 21
Romans 7:1-13
How are we as New Testament believers supposed to interact with the Mosaic Covenant? Are we still supposed to follow the laws given to Israel or can we ignore them? These are questions that often puzzle people. Paul in Romans 7 wants us to understand the purpose of the law so we can know what we should do with it. The purpose of the law was largely to magnify sin. It was meant to be a tutor that pointed out our extravagant sinfulness. It could not save; it could only condemn. In fact, every rule it provided only added to the tally of sin. Thankfully, because of Jesus this no longer needs to be our situation. Once we are under Christ, we are forgiven and can live in a new way. We are no longer condemned by the law but freed to live in godliness and holiness. Verse 6 puts it clearly that “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.” Using the marriage metaphor of verses 1-3, we are no longer married to the law since it has died, so now we can be joined to Christ. A new, better, more beautiful way has been opened for us. So, let us choose to not be simply a rule follower but a Spirit-led individual who walks in the power of the Spirit in every situation.
Father God, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help me to be led by him into ways that glorify you. Amen.
What are some of the ways the Holy Spirit is superior to laws/rules? What would it look like for you to be led by the Spirit?
How are we as New Testament believers supposed to interact with the Mosaic Covenant? Are we still supposed to follow the laws given to Israel or can we ignore them? These are questions that often puzzle people. Paul in Romans 7 wants us to understand the purpose of the law so we can know what we should do with it. The purpose of the law was largely to magnify sin. It was meant to be a tutor that pointed out our extravagant sinfulness. It could not save; it could only condemn. In fact, every rule it provided only added to the tally of sin. Thankfully, because of Jesus this no longer needs to be our situation. Once we are under Christ, we are forgiven and can live in a new way. We are no longer condemned by the law but freed to live in godliness and holiness. Verse 6 puts it clearly that “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.” Using the marriage metaphor of verses 1-3, we are no longer married to the law since it has died, so now we can be joined to Christ. A new, better, more beautiful way has been opened for us. So, let us choose to not be simply a rule follower but a Spirit-led individual who walks in the power of the Spirit in every situation.
Father God, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help me to be led by him into ways that glorify you. Amen.
What are some of the ways the Holy Spirit is superior to laws/rules? What would it look like for you to be led by the Spirit?
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