Romans 7:1-6 Sinners require justice from others, but the sons of God release sinners from justice.
Romans 7:1-6 Sinners require justice from others, but the sons of God release sinners from justice.
1 Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives? 2 For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. 3 So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.
4 Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.
Background
The Law in itself is good for it shows the yardstick of righteousness. However, the Law does not give life, it reminds sinners of the punishment that awaits them. For some, the Law even becomes a cloak to hide their sins. Often times, sinners use the Law to prosecute others without applying the Law to themselves. Jesus, having fulfilled the Law perfectly, has put an end to the operation of the Law through His death. By His resurrection, the Spirit of God indwells us, making us sons of God. As sons, we are no longer compelled by the Law, but by love. And in forgiving those who sin against us, we open a window for the Spirit to touch their lives. Today’s devotion teaches us: Sinners require justice from others, but the sons of God release sinners from justice.
Observation
For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband.
The Jews have been operating with the mindset of the Law ever since Moses gave them the Law. Moses had commanded them to put the Law as the centrality of life. Thus, the Jews went to great extents to make sure they do not break any of it. For they were driven by fear of retribution should they disobey (see Exodus 20:18-21). However, the time has come for them to break free from this mindset. For the old husband of the Law is now dead, and the new husband has come. And since the old husband is gone, it is time for the Jews to discard the mindset of the old husband by putting on the mindset of the new husband; the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another.
How did Jesus’s sacrifice cause the death of the old husband; the Law? The purpose of the law is to constraint the corrupt human ego from committing sin through the prospects of punishment by the law. Hence, the law is established with the corrupt human ego in mind. But that did not succeed as humanity continues to go from bad to worse. Therefore, Christ was sent to put to death the corrupt human ego, so that humanity to be regenerated with a new Christ-ego or Spirit-filled human ego.
Since the corrupt human ego which is bound by the law (fear of punishment) is done away with, there is no longer the need for the law. After Jesus resurrected, He sent His Spirit into our hearts to regenerate our ego (towards the Spirit-filled ego) so that we may live by the truth and the love of God, not by the fear of the law. Previously, with the old ego, we were joined to the law. Now, with the new Spirit-filled ego, we are joined to Christ.
For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.
Here, Paul explains how one with the mindset of the Law is predisposed towards sin. There are two ways how the law can bear fruit for death.
The Law compels one to either become fearful (of retribution) or to become self-righteous or hypocritical. In some cases, the Law causes people to feel bitter because of the injustice done to them. Both invariably give rise to the sinful passions leading to death.
One who is compelled by fear is fixated on keeping himself from breaking the Law. His obsession with fulfilling every article of the Law deprives him of actually living life. It cuts him off from his relationship with God and with others. Not only will he fail in keeping the Law, but it will also deprive him of living life abundantly.
One who is compelled by self-righteousness is misguided concerning his righteousness. He supposed he can attain righteousness by putting up an appearance (by observing the Law). One could offer up sacrifices but devoid of mercy towards others and sincere repentance towards God. Such a one has become oblivious to his inner darkness. The mindset of the Law provides one with a cloak to hide his sins. Thus, he is blind to his sinful passions leaving them to fester.
But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.
The Law exists for the purpose of constraining the natural man’s sinful tendencies to oppose God and go his way. Because the believer’s corrupt ego is destroyed by Jesus’s death, man he is free to live for God. Thus, the Law is no longer needed to constrain man’s tendencies towards sin. Having made obsolete the way of the Law, God has instituted a new way towards righteousness; the way of the Spirit. In the new life of the Spirit, man is no longer fixated on keeping the Law, but in walking with the Spirit.
Truth
Sinners require justice from others, but the sons of God release sinners from justice.
The Law in itself is good. But the mindset of the Law is a product of sinners. Often times, we use the Law to prosecute others. We require justice from people while being unjust ourselves. We cannot fulfil the Law, yet we expect others to fulfil it. But Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly by being just in all that He did. At the same time, He did not require justice from those who are unjust towards Him. The mindset of the Law requires justice from others. But being recipients of the Spirit, we must forgive and release others from debts owed us. Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. – Matthew 5:38-42
Here, Jesus describes what life in the Spirit is like. We are not to keep count of people’s sins, but to release them from just retribution. But we do not stop there, we are to repay their evil with good. The execution of the Law does not bring life and transformation. Instead, it brings regrets, sorrows, and death. But God, who is the source of life is kind and merciful even to ungrateful and evil men. Jesus said,
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. – Luke 6:35-36
Indeed, sinners require justice from others, but the sons of God releases sinners from justice. By releasing sinners from just retribution, we open a window for the Spirit to change their lives.
Forgiveness opens a window for the Spirit to touch lives.
The Jews brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, intending to lay a trap for Him. Indeed, Moses has commanded in the Law that such a woman be stoned to death. Because Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly, He has full authority to judge and decide if the woman should be punished according to the Law. However, Jesus knew that the Law cannot transform the woman’s life. Jesus challenged those who thought they have fulfilled the Law to throw the first stone. One by one, the people left. Jesus said,
“Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” – John 8:10-11
That said, the sinful nature will continue to plague the woman until it is once and for all removed by Jesus’s sacrifice. However, what is important is Jesus’s own forgiveness of the Jews who put Him on the cross. Although the Law requires their just punishment, Jesus forgave them. By forgiving them, Jesus opened a window that ushered in the age of the Spirit (Luke 23:34). As sons of God, we no longer operate by the Law. Neither do we use the Law to prosecute others. Instead, by graciously forgiving them, we open windows through which the Spirit can work.
Application
On a scale of one to ten, how just and lawful are you?
Are you actively looking for justice? Or are you looking for windows to touch lives?
Dear Lord, help me to be just and lawful in all that I do. At the same time, give me the grace to be kind, merciful and wise in all that I do. I release the people who have harmed me from having to repay me. I ask the Spirit to touch them, to move them towards repentance. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.