In his letter to the Roman churches Paul explained how the new covenant came as a blessing to believers who were once dead to sin but now alive in Christ.
Thankfully the same covenant brought on by the sacrifice made by Jesus also released us from bondage to the Mosaic Law, which is the topic covered in this section of Paul’s epistle.
“1 Do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to men who know the law—that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?” (Romans 7:1)
Addressing the former Jews within the Roman churches Paul brings up the Law of Moses and its grasp on the Jewish nation. To the Jews the Mosaic Law was more than a set of guidelines, it was literally bondage for life.
“2 For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage.” (Romans 7:2)
Comparing the Jews’ Mosaic bondage to marriage Paul illustrates the fact the Law of Moses was to be abided by until death. A biblical command given to man, a husband and wife should be bound by marriage until death. The same applied to the Law until Jews were, by faith in Jesus Christ released from this bondage.
The concept of marriage is used here to reinforce the biblical truth about adultery and divorce which are both sin born of Satan. Neither adultery or divorce are of God, both are selfish, unrighteous acts not pleasing to the Lord.
“3 So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man.” (Romans 7:3)
Expanding on the concept of adultery Paul describes a situation by which a woman would be considered an adulteress in the eyes of God by divorcing her husband then marrying another man. Inviting God’s wrath in her life the woman would only be delivered from her first marriage if the first husband died.
Paul cites the same applies to bondage to the Law of Moses, that it has died so believers are now free to marry the grace of God.
“4 So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.” (Romans 7:4)
Through Christ those in bondage by the Mosaic Law are delivered and able to receive God’s blessings. By faith in Jesus Christ Jewish believers are promised the gift of eternal life, once offered to those who abided by the Law now only available to those in Christ.
“5 For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.” (Romans 7:5)
Since all fall short of the glory of God, and because no one could ever keep the Law other than Jesus, all men are under the curse from sin and therefore face punishment which is death.
“6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, 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.” (Romans 7:6)
Through God’s grace sinners are born again after dying to sin. No longer slaves to the written Law of Moses, believers are set free from bondage and invited to serve one another in love according to the Law of Christ.
Delivered from the Mosaic Law we are blessed to be given a second chance at serving the one true God as we walk along the narrow path that leads to eternal life. Let us pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives and for your servant Paul,
We praise you Lord for his wisdom and for his works through this scripture,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we grow in you through the teachings of your faithful apostle.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your word, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
