Married to Jesus
Rom 7:1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
Rom 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
Paul makes the point that death severs all obligations and contracts; a wife is no longer bound to her husband if he should die, because death has annulled that contract.
Some might argue, "yes, we are saved by grace, but we must live by law if we are to be pleasing to God." But Paul makes it plain that believers are dead to the law as far as it represents a principle of living or right standing before God
Rom 7:3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Luke 16:18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.
Rom 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
However, we have not been freed from the law so that we may live unto ourselves; we have been freed so that we can be "married" to Jesus, so that we can bear fruit to God . Love is our motivation not fear of the law.
Faith in Jesus fulfills the righteousness of the law. Now we live by the Spirit of God who leads us to do good works by love. Our Kingdom is of God, our future belongs to him. All we do reflects this relationship as a son or daughter to God our Father. Our fruit is Spiritual fruit through his Holy Spirit, as we are one with Jesus. We have no righteousness of our own doing. We belong to God because Jesus has purchased us with his own blood. You would rather belong to satan? Death or eternal life, it is your choice. I have chosen life in Messiah Jesus (Yeshua)
Delivered
Rom 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
In the flesh sin had it's way. The law pointed out our sins and put us in the penalty of death and separation from God. It did not matter if poor or rich as King Solomon of old, the body of sin had no good lasting work. Let's look at what the wisest King of old had to say with his life which had every fleshly desire.
Ecclesiastes 2 (New International Version)
1 I thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless.
2
"Laughter," I said, "is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?"
3
I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly--my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
4
I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.
5
I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
6
I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.
7
I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.
8
I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well--the delights of the heart of man.
9
I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.
10
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.
11
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.
Rom 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
We are delivered from the law of sin and death, by the death of our sinful nature on the cross with Jesus; that we serve him as new creations by His Holy Spirit that resides within us. Jesus gave us a new life.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
We are saved from our empty life of sin and death, to serve our God in gladness and joy. His Spirit of truth searches our hearts to find the word of God we have hidden there, so that he might guide us in the Lord's will for us. We no longer seek the worlds pleasures, but with our family we are blessed by our Father God.
Father God, thank you for restoring us to your presence. You are what we were created for, to love you, to fellowship with you and to serve you with joy. Thank you for removing our sins and making us new. Your family is one Spirit, love is shared because you loved us first
Holy Commandments
Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
The Ten Commandments though not the way to salvation are valuable to know the heart of God. Is the law sin? No, it shows us Gods commandments describing Gods commands for us. If we disobey a command, we sin.
Rom 7:8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence ( desire for what is forbidden ) . For without the law sin was dead.
Once God draws a boundary for us, we are immediately enticed to cross that boundary - which is no fault of God or His boundary, but of our sinful hearts
Sin warps love into lust; an honest desire to provide into greed; and law into a promoter of sin
Rom 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
Children can be innocent before they know or understand what law requires; this is what Paul refers to when he says I was alive once without the law. But when we do know the law, the law shows us our guilt and it excites our rebellion, bringing forth more sin and death.
The popular bumper sticker "If it feels good do it'" violates the Royal law. To love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself, putting self lust as the focus, this is rebellious sin.
Rom 7:10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
The commandment was given as a Spiritual guide for life, because of sin became a law to bring death.
Rom 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
It was the old sin nature that took over making it impossible to keep the laws, I would die in my sins.
Rom 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
The law was the Holy requirements of God, they are good.
Rom 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Sin breaks the laws, it can only fail. The law is pure and meant to guide men into Holy living. But it only increased man's desire to sin and rebel, our old sin nature could not change by self effort.
Lord God by your Spirit we are able to lead victorious life's. Jesus is our victory. When we sin we can confess and be forgiven and Jesus is our advocate in heaven declaring us not guilty, because we trust in him.
Wretched Man
Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Sold under sin until we are bought by the blood of Jesus, then we have a choice to serve sin or to serve God.
Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Rom 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
In spite of our failings we know that the laws of God are good.
Rom 2:15 Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Rom 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
The conflict is in every person, the sin nature which is being inflenced by dark spirits and temptations opposes the way of God. Everyone in Christ must mortify the flesh, put it's power under the blood of Jesus. Then we must choose to follow Jesus in the Spirit of God. It is as two natures or Spirits in conflict with one another. Whichever we yield to we serve.
Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
The battle is won in Jesus Christ. Stay in him and do not wander off in the power of the flesh and the natural mind. Submit to the authority of God's word and remember who you are in Christ Jesus. Satan can only gain power in our flesh if we yield to temptations or believe his lies.
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Even the great Apostle Paul had to struggle with the flesh, knowing to serve the flesh would lead to death. Many struggle with this life. We are to be in the world but not of it. Jesus prayed for us regarding this.
John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
All for Jesus, we are to be dead to sin and the worlds temptations and alive to Christ Jesus. Many seek escape from this life by death, thus being with the Lord. No, we are given life and we are to live our life's unto God by His Spirit bringing hope and life to others so that they will not perish.
Lord help us to not fail in our flesh but to yield to the Spirit taking up the sword of truth and the shield of faith to bring others to you. In Jesus' name and authority, amen.
No Condemnation
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
He has given up on himself, and is now asking who shall deliver me? not "how shall I deliver myself?"
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
There is victory in Messiah! Jesus didn't come and die just to give us more or better rules, but to live out victory through those who believe. The message of the gospel is that there is victory over sin, hate, death, etc. - as we surrender our lives to Christ and let Him live out victory through us.
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