LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
The Law of the Spirit
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2).
The Spirit, who inspired the Scriptures, wisely placed the verses of Romans 7 between chapters 6 and 8, yet it is very sad to see that many Christians stay in Romans 7 to justify their lives of defeat in sin.
This defeat is not supported by Romans 6 and 8. Romans 6 speaks of death to sin and of the freedom from slavery of sin by the work of Christ on the cross. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means. We who died to sin, how can we live in it? (Romans 6:1-2).
Romans 8 teaches us about life in the Spirit, without condemnation, as a result of the new life received in the resurrection, together, with Christ. (Eph. 2:5-6). For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father (Rom. 8:15).
Much has been said about these chapters, but as Paul says, it is safe for us to speak the same things (Phil. 3:1). The kingdom of heaven, Jesus said, is like a householder who brings out of his treasure new things and old things (Matthew 13:52). There is a great treasure throughout Scripture, and the Spirit will always bring old things and new things.
Romans 7 is encircled by Romans 6 and 8. Romans 7 is the struggle of man, seeing his reality, amidst the glorious work of God. How precious is the Spirit revealing our true situation! How beautiful is the revelation of the Spirit of grace in Jesus!: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace (Rom. 6:14).
I think Paul was the best man that the Lord chose to go through that experience. A blameless man as to the zeal that was in the law. Romans 7 teaches us that the first downfall of the new creature is to want to please God by obeying the law. Those who live for the law can never live for God. To live for God we must die to the law: For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God (Gal. 2:19).
Romans 7 teaches us another very important thing for the new creature- to try to overcome sin. Every child of God who tries to overcome sin will always find defeat. But why? If we keep the law and overcome sin, even as new creatures, we would not need the grace of Jesus. We would personally pride ourselves in keeping the law and overcoming sin, and among the children of God, there would be contests, preferences, and judgments, just like the Pharisees.
Romans 7 is full of ME. I do, I want, I do not want. Romans 6 and 8 are full of Christ, of the Spirit of life in Christ. The Spirit teaches us in Romans 6, 7, and 8 that we are dead to the law and to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Life is in Him, not in keeping the law or overcoming sin. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life.