The Law & Sin — Romans 7: 1–4

‘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?

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.

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.

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. ‘ — Romans 7:1–4

Through this chapter, Apostle Paul explores the struggle in the pursuit of righteousness by the unregenerated man — this righteousness by works.

The Law is good

The Law was given to Moses to show the Jews things to do to be in right standing before God but it could not make the doers righteous because it brought a constant reminder of our fallen state.

‘When we were merely living natural lives, the law, through defining sin , actually awakened sinful desires within us, which resulted in bearing the fruit of death. ‘ — Romans 7:5 (TPT)

‘Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 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. ‘ — Romans 7:12–13

The carnal nature is given to sin

“Carnal” in this case refers to the unregenerated man. His nature is to sin — and the law made it clearer to him. It made it clear that trying to stand right before God by works is impossible.

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. — Isaiah 64:6

‘Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 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. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. ‘ — Romans 7:12,14–21

All men must come to the realisation that righteousness cannot be achieved by works of the law.

‘For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 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. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? ‘ — Romans 7:22–24

The path to righteousness

There is a way to righteousness that God has revealed in these last days — through Jesus Christ our Lord.

‘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.’ — Romans 7:25

This leads us back to the earlier verses in the chapter — we have to die to the law that operates in our nature.

‘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? 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. 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. 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. ‘ — Romans 7:1–4

‘Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ‘ — 2 Corinthians 5:17

‘I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. ‘ — Galatians 2:20

In coming to Christ, we are reborn with a new nature — the nature of Christ.

‘That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: ‘ — 1 Corinthians 1:29–30

Action for today

Take time to meditate on these words and understand who you are now i Christ Jesus.