It must have been a real struggle for Paul to explain to people who loved and revered the law that the law could not save them. In Romans 7 he tries by using an illustration of marriage. He says when one is married they are bound for life to their spouse. But when the spouse dies they are free to marry anew. Via the body of Christ we died to the law. We are then free to remarry. Our new spouse is the one who was raised from the dead. We have been released from the law so we can bear fruit by the Spirit. No longer are we obligated to keep the law in an attempt to be saved but now in a new relationship of love we bear good works because we want to and not because we have to. It is a brilliant and beautiful illustration. Once understood our walk with God becomes a joy instead of a fearful march that we might have strayed and unknowingly become lost.
Often I hear people pray that God will reveal to them what they need to do so they do not ignorantly come up short on judgment day. Paul would have us be free from this tyranny. Now we can pray that God will reveal to us what we should be doing for the joy that comes from doing it. This is not some subtle esoteric difference. This is the difference between living with the joy of salvation as opposed to living with a sword dangling over our heads being held by a thread.
Is the law bad or evil? Horrors no. Paul tells us the law educates us as to the nature of sin. But as good as the law is, it is weak. It cannot save us. Only Jesus can do that.
Written by Roger Bothwell on November 11, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org