Thursday, June 8 – Romans 7:1-13
In our reading for today, Paul continues in his letter to the Romans with what it means to be alive in Christ. Yesterday, we read what it means to be truly dead to sin. Our new identity in Christ has completely transformed our makeup, taking us out of the bondage of sin. Today, Paul takes this further by saying not only are we dead to sin, but we are also dead “to the power of the law” (Romans 7:4).
As we were reminded yesterday, being dead to the law does not mean we are now living in a free-for-all society lacking boundaries or consequences, but Paul says in our transition from being law-bound, we are now living in a “new way of living in the Spirit.”
This message must’ve been radical for early churches and Christians to hear, but Paul assures them that the law of God is not sinful. Instead, he reminds us, “It was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, ‘You must not covet’” (Romans 7:7). This message reflects Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5: “I have not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17).
Again, our new freedom in Christ does not mean law and order is not important, but Jesus himself is saying we all are guilty of breaking this law. This penalty does not stop the ever-flowing love of God. In our human imperfections we are unable to stay true to the law, but in our new identity, we are transformed into children of God.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus was asked what is the greatest of the laws to which he replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” Everything we do comes back to love. As children of God, we are not concerned with doing the right thing as a means of going to heaven or being made right with God. Instead, we are in awe of the good work that is happening through God, and the part we have to play in this work. As followers, we are to love. As a new creation, we are to love. This freedom we have as Christians gives us the right to love everyone the way Christ loves them: with no limits or conditions.
Questions for reflection:
- What shocks you about Paul’s message to the Romans so far? What is something that is new to you in this letter?
- Romans 7:6 says, “Now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.” What does it look like for you to serve God while “living in the Spirit?”