What then shall we say? That the law is a sin? By no means! Yes, if it had not been for the law. I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet. Romans 7:7
Please read Romans 7:7-25 for full context!
Paul is describing the uselessness of trying to live right and please God in our own strength, without depending on God’s grace, mercy, and strength. Paul understood this from his own personal experience before he was a follower of Christ. He only depended on God’s law to be righteous. We can not get righteous or have salvation by following the law. We only get righteousness and salvation by being in a right relationship with God by his grace through faith in Christ.
Paul explains verses 7-8 about the value of God’s law in exposing sin. He makes us aware of our inability to live up to God’s perfect standard. God’s law is set in place to show our need for him. God’s law points us to Christ, so we can become right with God through Christ.
Paul is comparing a person who accepts the truth of God’s Old Testament law and tries to live by the moral requirements without a personal relationship and transformation with Christ. We can not resist sin and obey God’s law without a personal relationship with God. Our state of slavery to sin and spiritual death that results when we become conscious of our wrongdoing. Sin makes us dead. Being in Christ following Him brings us to life.
Do you feel a burden trying to follow the law?
Do you find yourself trying to be perfect and not getting anywhere?
Do you have a personal relationship with Christ?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for understanding that following the law doesn’t bring us into a close relationship with you. I do thank you for your law to point us to Christ. I pray that we will seek Christ, the Holy Spirit to guide us and that we will be close to you. I pray that we will desire to have a relationship with you, therefore will desire to know and understand your law.
In Jesus Name
Amen
