Romans 7:7-13
I just have a couple of minutes today so let me get right to it. Paul's point is that not only does the law not justify us (chapter 3) but it does not bring us life. It was intended to but, because I am so broken and twisted that I prefer and am enticed by what is forbidden, in simply saying I was not to do something, the law produced the desire to do that very thing which results in death. This is not a fault of the law but with me. The theological term is depravity - I prefer my own glory and the glory of the created things to the glory of God. Not only do I prefer it but I actively seek to undermine the glory of God. The result of all of this? Death.
If I am looking for life, I will not find it in the law. I will not find life by making rules about being a Christian. I will not find life there at all. And yet that is what I do. The law does not bring life! I need to stop creating and relying on the law and start pursuing life!
Showing posts with label death. Show all posts
Showing posts with label death. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
mastering death
Romans 6:8-10
Observe:
Repeated (key) words: die (in its various forms), live (in its various forms).
There is a word picture that involves death and slavery in the sense that the dead slave is no longer bound by obedience to his master. Paul compares the physical death and resurrection of Christ to the spiritual/moral death and resurrection of the believer.
Interpret:
Paul is arguing in this whole section (chapter 5 onward) that we live by faith. Here, he argues that we identify (by faith) with the death and resurrection of Christ which allows us to escape the mastery of sin and live the life that God expects us to. The other benefit is that Christ's death broke the "judicial link" (from the study notes) between sin and death, moving Christ beyond the reign of sin. As we identify with Christ's death and resurrection we also move beyond the reign of sin and escape death.
Apply:
I live by faith. All of this (life, escaping the judgement, etc.) is only possible through Christ. It is only possible to live the life God expects me to by identifying myself with Christ. It's like Korey and I talked about this morning: it's a miracle when I don't sin in the sense that it is truly only by the power/work of the Holy Spirit in me that I don't give in to my sinful desires. This raises the question: if I don't want to sin, do I work hard at not sinning or do I work hard at surrendering to the Holy Spirit? The answer is pretty obvious. Just as I can only be saved (or as Paul puts it, justified) by faith in the work of Christ on the cross, I can only live the life God desires by faith in the work of Christ in me.
Observe:
Repeated (key) words: die (in its various forms), live (in its various forms).
There is a word picture that involves death and slavery in the sense that the dead slave is no longer bound by obedience to his master. Paul compares the physical death and resurrection of Christ to the spiritual/moral death and resurrection of the believer.
Interpret:
Paul is arguing in this whole section (chapter 5 onward) that we live by faith. Here, he argues that we identify (by faith) with the death and resurrection of Christ which allows us to escape the mastery of sin and live the life that God expects us to. The other benefit is that Christ's death broke the "judicial link" (from the study notes) between sin and death, moving Christ beyond the reign of sin. As we identify with Christ's death and resurrection we also move beyond the reign of sin and escape death.
Apply:
I live by faith. All of this (life, escaping the judgement, etc.) is only possible through Christ. It is only possible to live the life God expects me to by identifying myself with Christ. It's like Korey and I talked about this morning: it's a miracle when I don't sin in the sense that it is truly only by the power/work of the Holy Spirit in me that I don't give in to my sinful desires. This raises the question: if I don't want to sin, do I work hard at not sinning or do I work hard at surrendering to the Holy Spirit? The answer is pretty obvious. Just as I can only be saved (or as Paul puts it, justified) by faith in the work of Christ on the cross, I can only live the life God desires by faith in the work of Christ in me.
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