Sermon On the Net

EXPOSED

Romans 7: Paul gives a wonderful explanation of the true purpose of the law, (the 10 commandments). The law is not for us to follow, its true purpose was to show man what sin is and the fact that he cannot fulfill its requirements, resulting in death i.e., eternal separation from God.  An example Paul uses to more fully explain the meaning of the law is that of a married woman who is bound to her husband, under the law, and if she divorces him and marries another she would be guilty of living in adultery. If, however, the husband were dead she would not be under the law and therefore free to marry another man.

 

Verse 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.” If we cannot live by the law what must we do to be freed from the effects of the law, that is, eternal loss? When one accepts Jesus as Savior they die to the law and are no longer subject to it. We then come under grace, the grace of God. Grace is unmerited favor, we do nothing to earn it, nor can we. It is God’s free gift to all those who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ.

 

What can we say about the law then? Is it bad? No, because without the law Paul tells that we would not know what sin is. Again I repeat, as Paul is so desperately trying to convey in this Chapter, that the 10 commandments are to demonstrate how short we come to the glory of God. This is the reason why so many people will not gain access to Heaven, because they try to earn their way into Heaven and that, as Paul says, isn’t the way. Jesus is ‘the way, the truth and the life.’ See John 14:6.

 

Another interesting point Paul makes is how the weakness of man is amplified under the law. To quote Paul in verse 19, “For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” Paul says we have a sinful nature and unfortunately we follow that course because it is natural. Our only hope therefore, is the One who conquered sin and its companion, death, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

My dear friends, as I have appealed to those of you who have never accepted Jesus as Savior, I pray that you will take a moment and ask Him to come into your heart. God’s grace is available for you if you accept His free gift.