READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l The Gospel of Jesus sets people free from sin and to be alive in God. The good news is Jesus has come, died, and risen. He now lives in our heart through the Holy Spirit so that we may live a life free from the penalty and power of sin and walk victoriously in newness of life. The Lord has set us free from the dominion of sin, and to be alive in Him.
Two attitudes to the Law found in Romans 7, Legalism and Antinomianism rob Christians of the freedom God gives through the gospel. John Stott said Legalists are under the Law and in bondage to it. They imagine that their relationship to God depends on their obedience to the Law and they are seeking to be both justified and sanctified by it. But they are crushed by the Law’s inability to save them. Antinomians go to the opposite extreme. Blaming the Law for their problems, they reject it altogether and claim to be rid of all obligations to its demands. They have turn liberty into license.
A. The Legalists (Romans 7:1-6)
In our world today, the Law for Christians will be the Bible which comprises the Old and the New Testaments. Paul is the best example of a Legalist. Educated as a strict Pharisee, he lived his whole life in Law keeping. However, Paul’s entire perspective about the Law changed after he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. He realised his means of righteousness by works throughout his entire life was empty and self-serving. In his zeal for the Law, Paul almost missed the Messiah and was headed for hell. Jesus revealed himself to Paul and saved him by grace through faith.
Our union with Christ through His physical death has broken the bond that once bound us to it. We have been released from our marital union with the Law and entered a new marriage with Christ to share in His name, glory, and power. Before Christ came, the Law was primarily used by God to teach and shape His people (Gal. 3:24-25). Now that Christ has come and His Spirit lives in us, we no longer keep a code of rules to gain God’s approval for our salvation. Instead, we bear fruit for God in the power of the Spirit as the outcome of our salvation as we walk in the newness of life. v6 reminds us that we have been released from an old way of thinking with regards to the Law and set free to serve God in the new way of the Spirit. The motivation for our lives now must be radically different. We want to serve God because we have experienced His love and acceptance.
Do not be proud of what you have achieved but ask whether God is proud of what you have achieved.
B. The Antinomians (Romans 7:7-13)
Paul was emphatic that the Law is not evil. It is not sin and does not bring death. On the contrary, the Law is holy, righteous, and good. It has immense value to Christians because:
1. The law reveals sin (v7)
Sin is rebellion against God’s commands. It existed before the Law was given at Mt Sinai. Sin is not counted when there is no Law. However, when the Law was given, it cast a spotlight on sin. What was a bad behaviour became clearly seen as a transgression. The truth of covetousness opened Paul’s heart to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
Even when we are ignorant of our sins, that does not change the evil nature of the sins from being wrong or harmful to others. When the Bible names our sins, we must act at once to eradicate them. The real battle begins in the mind which then permeates the heart and get translated into action. The Law is the only means through which we can accurately judge our sinfulness. The role that God’s Law plays in our transformation makes us aware of the magnitude of our sins and the need for His forgiveness.
2. The law provokes sin (v8)
Sin already resides in our hearts when it seized the opportunity through the Law to produce coveting of every kind in us. The Greek word for opportunity translated means “a starting point” or a base of operations for an expedition. Sin in our heart uses the Law which provokes us as the base of operations to launch its evil work. Timothy Keller said there is perversity of the heart – a desire to do something for no reason because it is forbidden. The real culprit is sin that is hostile to God. The Law (Word of God) is holy but sin perverts its purpose to reveal and provoke it.
3. The law condemns sin (v9-11)
Paul thought God was pleased with him and accepted him. However, he was only serving the letter of the Law and was oblivious that his heart was far from God. When he came to truly know the Lord and was aware of his own sin, he discovered that the Law which was supposed to bring life, brought spiritual death instead. The Law condemned Paul’s sinfulness and made him realise that spiritually, he was dead. He needed a saviour because his own effort to obey the Law could never make him righteous and acceptable to God. Paul emphasized in v11 that sin used the Law as its base of operation to deceive and kill him.
Paul rejects Legalism and Antinomianism but embraces ‘Law fulfilling freedom’. John Stott said that Law fulfilling free Christians rejoice both in their freedom from the Law for justification and sanctification, and in their freedom to fulfil it. They delight in the Law as the revelations of God’s will but recognise that the power to fulfil it is not in the Law but in the Spirit.
The Law cannot save people from sin. Therefore, the Law should not be a burden but an incentive for us to follow it so that we might honour Jesus by confronting the sins in our lives and turning to Him for help. May we be convicted by the Spirit and put our trust completely in Jesus – the only one who can truly bring about our salvation.
C. The Law-fulfilling free Christians (v 14-23)
Paul described the ongoing inner struggle with sin by Law-fulfilling free Christians, yet fervently trying to fulfil the law. He reaffirmed in v14 that the Law is not the problem, but he who is under the bondage of sin. His heart’s desire was to glorify God by living up to His perfect standards. However, he discovered he cannot do it in his own strength, and he was grieved by this truth. He defended the goodness of the Law in v16, and all Law fulfilling free Christians would want to fulfil it perfectly. This desired longing comes with spiritual maturity as we become more committed to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
In v17, is Paul making an excuse for what he did? Or is he trying to run away from taking personal responsibility for his sin? Definitely not! 1 John 1:9-10 reminds us to confess our sins as God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we said we did not sin, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. Hence, Law-fulfilling Christians like Paul constantly confess and repent of their sin as they are made aware of it through the Law and the Spirit.
In conclusion (v24-25), “we are “wretched.” God is not. Through his Son, he has rescued us, and through his Spirit he is changing us, so that we can enjoy him forever. Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
(Sermon notes by Honey Vreugdewater)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- List the three attitudes to the law mentioned in the sermon.
- Describe each. Which does Paul embrace? Why?
- What mindset change you need to make to be a law-fulfilling free Christian?
- Read Romans 7:1-6.
- How does the image of being married to Christ motivate you to serve Him in the new way of the Spirit?
- What practical difference does this image need to make in your life today?
- How does the image of being married to Christ motivate you to serve Him in the new way of the Spirit?
- Read Romans 7:7-13.
- Think of your own journey to faith in Christ. How do you see the truths of this passage in your life?
- List ways which the law is of immense value to the Christian. How would you apply them to your life?
- Read Romans 7:14-25.
- How does the life of a law-fulfilling free Christian like Paul encourage you?
- Why is it liberating to be honest about your wretchedness, and certain about your forgiveness?
- What does God’s desire, plan, and fulfilment through Jesus to rescue us from the dilemma (vv. 21-25) reveal about God’s character and purposes?
- Romans 7 reminds us that temptations and conflict with sin, even some relapses into sin, are consistent with being a spiritually mature Christian.
- How does this truth encourage you in your own journey of discipleship?
