Made Free From The Law

Temple Baptist Church - 4-1-2018

Romans 7: 1-6

Introduction:

A.  As Paul begins this chapter of Romans, he gives an analogy between marriage and the law.  As marriage was intended to be “till death do us part,” so is the Law.  As a marriage is to be sundered only by death, so the Law can only be sundered by the death of Christ.

B.  The Purpose of the Law was to be our Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.  It was meant to show a lost world their need for the Saviour.  Paul, in this chapter, will give us some valuable insight into his personal life, both thoughts and deeds.

1.  The first part of chapter 7 deals with Paul’s relationship to the Law and Christ before salvation.

2.  The last part of chapter 7 deals with the struggles that Paul has after salvation.  These struggles remain so long as we live in the flesh.

C.  What does the Law do?  The Law exposes man’s sinfulness.  Romans 2:12  For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

D.  Man, by nature, is self-righteous.  There are three areas of the Law: the Moral Law, the Civil Law, and the Ceremonial Law.

1.  The Moral Law:  Man becomes self-righteous in his perception of who and what he is.  He knows that he is a sinner but does not think that he is that bad of one.

2.  The Civil Law: Man becomes self-righteous in his perception of what he does and how he treats his neighbor.  He lays claim on the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”

3.  The Ceremonial Law:  Man becomes self-righteous in his perception of where he goes to church and how he worships.  “I am a Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Episcopal, Catholic, Church of Christ, etc.”

E.  What the Law cannot do!

1.  The Law cannot make one a Child of God.  Romans 2:28-29  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:  (29)  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

2.  The Law cannot justify or make one acceptable to God.  Romans 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 4:2-5  For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.  (3)  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.  (4)  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  (5)  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

3.  In the eyes of the Law, we remain unjustified and condemned in our sin. 1 Corinthians 15:56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

4. The Law was never to meant to save man but to bear witness that man desperately needs the righteousness of God. Romans 3:21-22  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  (22)  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

F.  The Purpose of the Law:  The Law gave divine commandment and, therefore, defined sinfulness.  Romans 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.

Galatians 3:20-29  Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.  (21)  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.  (22)  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.  (23)  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  (24)  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  (25)  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.  (26)  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  (27)  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  (28)  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  (29)  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

G.  As marriage is only to be sundered by death, our relationship with the Law is only sundered by the death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 7:4-6  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.  (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.  (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.