Romans
Chapter 7 Verse 1-6
I (Paul) speak to the Jews who know the law—the 10 Commandments and the law have rule over man as long as he lives.
For example: a married woman belongs to her husband as long as he is alive. When the husband dies, she is free and no longer belongs to a husband.
If she would marry another man while her husband still lives —she would be guilty of adultery. If her husband is dead, she is free—she can marry again.
In the same way—we become dead to the law –because we are now under the grace of Christ. We are “married” to Christ —who raised from the dead—and we should now live for God and make “fruit” in our lives for Him.
When we lived for sin and for ourselves—the things we did would end in death. Under the Old Testament law we were bound (tied). The law said—do not do this—do not do that—but in our own strength we could not keep the law. We were weak and disobeyed the law. The letters and words of the law were over us like a black cloud—we could not keep the law–we were always failing and breaking the law.
Now, under the grace of Christ we are free from the law. God’s Spirit in us helps us obey the Spirit of God. Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection broke the power of sin in our life. We no more are under the power of sin—we are free to obey God and succeed. Sin does not need to control us– Holy Spirit in us gives us power to allow God to control us.
Romans Chapter 7 Verse 7 – 11
Is the law sinful? No! We would not know we had done wrong and sinned if there were no rules. I would not know it was wrong/sinful to lust (great desire) for someone else’s things, but the law said it was wrong to covet (greatly desire) someone else’s things.
Before I knew the rules/laws I was happy in my sin. I did not know I was doing wrong. Then I learned that not obeying the rules/laws would end in death.
When I learned the law said “Don’t do this, don’t do that”—my sinful nature inside made me feel rebellious. I did not want to obey. It was like knowing the rules made me want to disobey even more.
Before I knew the law–I was happy and felt alive. But then I learned the rules/law and I felt “dead” and under its cloud.
The rules/laws that were meant to make me holy—but because of my sinful nature I was always breaking them. I learned that sin would be punished by death.
Romans Chapter 7 Verse 12 -24
The law and commandments were holy and good. They showed me how sinful I was because I could not keep them. I have a sinful nature.
In my own strength I am bound (tied) to sin.
I want to do the right thing, but I keep failing. I keep doing the wrong thing.
If I say “I will not do that any more.” —I fail—I do it again.
When I want to do good—I fail—I end up doing wrong again.
It is the sin in me that makes me do it. In my mind I want to do right, but I keep doing wrong. I feel awful! I am upset with myself.
Who can save me from this control of sin in my life?
Romans Chapter 7 Verse 25
In my mind I want to obey God, but the sinful nature in me keeps showing up.
I thank God through Jesus Christ. He will save me.