The Problem Isn't Law

The Problem Isn't Law

Romans 7

I. Marriage Illustrates How Law Works

A. Laws inherently display purposes and observe limits. "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?" (Romans 7:1)

B. Because law reveals truths and illustrates realities, it is inherently valuable; the laws of chemistry enable science. "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:" (Proverbs 6:23)

C. Marriage is the fundamental expression of law and the basis for contracts. "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." (Romans 7:2) " And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." (Genesis 2:23-24)

D. Marriage requires two partners and ceases inherently at death; it is inextricably confined to the present age. "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." (Romans 7:3)

E. The transformation of grace works in the same way; the death on cross effects the substitutionary atonement by which people become free to enter a new relationship with God. "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. 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." (Romans 7:4-5)

F. The law taught reality so that people could see the fundamental
problem; now something larger is at work. "But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." (Romans 7:6)

II. The Law Is Actually Holy

A. The law was never the problem; it was the opportunity. "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet." (Romans 7:7) "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." (Psalm 19:7)

B. People are naturally drawn to disobey God and the law illustrates what offends God. "But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death." (Romans 7:8-10)

C. Sin transforms the path to righteousness into directions for disobedience. "For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." (Romans 7:11-12)

D. The true character of sin reveals itself in the capacity to convert something good into something bad. "Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful." (Romans 7:13)

III. The Conflict Is in the Human Heart

A. The conflict between righteousness and the sinful nature is painful; the believer's struggle confirms the validity of the law. "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good." (Romans 7:14-16)

B. A believer will want better than sin will permit. "Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not." (Romans 7:17-18)

C. A person can be drawn in two conflicting directions at once. "Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:" (Romans 7:20-22)

D. The struggle is unspeakably horrific; there is no human solution. "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:23-24)

E. Christ alone delivers. "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." (Romans 7:25)