Delivered From The Law (Monday, July 8)

The word for today is "delivered." Today in our daily scripture study, we read Romans 7:1-13, "We have been delivered from the law" (OSB vs. 6). This message is a profound relief for our soul, for Paul teaches that we have died to the Law so that we should serve [God] in the newness of the Spirit (Romans 7:6). Today, we consider what the Law is, why we need deliverance from the Law, and how the Lord has freed from its accusation.

Today, many in our contemporary society do not acknowledge the role of the 'law' in their lives, believing they are not accountable to it. However, Paul's teachings remind us that God's 'law' will judge all people, regardless of their acknowledgment of Him. Yet, Paul also teaches that there is hope that we can be 'delivered' from the accusation of the Law.  To fully grasp this freedom, we must first understand the 'law' and its implications in our lives.

THE DEFINITION OF THE LAW

In the sense that Paul uses in our reading, the Law refers to the body of commandants, rules, and instructions given to Moses on Mt. Sinai on the way to the Promised Land. In the Hebrew Old Testament, the Law" refers to the precepts or instructions founded on the Torah, the written code of life given to Moses. This Law includes the Ten Commandments, but it is broader in scope than this familiar set of dictates. The Law is the will of Almighty God for His people, prescribing a way of life that is pleasing to Him.

In Greek, the term "nomos" refers to "what is assigned," that is, what is given by custom or use (Strong's #3551). The Hebrew word for "teach" has the sense of "to throw" or “to shoot.” Accordingly, the Law is "set before" the people the instructions of the Creator’s will for His creation, and the Sovereign God expects them to obey what is placed in front of them (Strong's  #3384). 

THE NATURE OF THE LAW

Note that these understandings give us insight into the nature of the "law."  First, the Law is revealed. It is not a human discovery or formulation. Second, the Law is the disclosure of the will of Almighty God the creator and sovereign of the world. Second, the God has dictated the Law with the expectation that this code of conduct will be followed. If not, the concept of judgment follows. As the sovereign creator, God judges all humans according to whether they keep or disobey His expressed will.  Fourth, the Law is founded on the nature of the God as St. Paul says, "Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good" (Romans 7:13). Accordingly,  God's decrees are an expression of His very nature.  Fifth, the biblical concept of the Law presupposes and enforces the belief in the one true God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, the nature of the God, the "Lawgiver."

INTENDED FOR LIFE BUT PRODUCING DEATH

According to Paul, as a benevolent God, the Almighty intended that the Law would give life. However, Paul's theme for today is that we need to be delivered from the "law. The reason for this need for salvation from the Law is that its condemnation of sin has produced death, not life. St. John Chrysostom comments that under the conditions of human sinfulness, the Law becomes an "accuser" and not only an "accuser" but a "producer" of sin (NFPF1:11, 421). For example, if I did not know the Law, I might not realize that covetousness is a sin. But if I know the Law of the Ten Commandments, I understand that coveting is sinful (vs. 7). So, the Law exposes the sinfulness of coveting.

But the Law not only accuses me of sin. According to Paul, the "law stirs up my desires, and so produces more sin (Romans 7:8). The sage of Proverbs writes, "Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant" (Proverbs 9:17). Likewise Chrysostom explains, "When we desire a thing, and are hindered by it, the flame of the desire is but increased" (NfPf1:11, 421). Even so, when we covet something, the commandment against such craving enflames the burning of greed.

Thus, the commandments meant to give us life produced the condemnation of death (OSB Romans 7:10). This unintended result is not the fault of the Law, which is godly and holy. But Paul teaches that the devious power of sin takes the "opportunity" of the Law to lead us in the ways of death (Romans 7:11). Chrysostom explains in other words: "This is no fault in the physician [God] but in the patient who applies the medicine [the law] wrongly" (NfPf1:11, 421).

In 2 Corinthians, Paul declares, "The letter kills [of the law], but the Spirit gives life" (2 Corinthians 3:6). In short, Paul teaches that we cannot trust in the "letter of the law" to help us overcome sin and lead a godly life because it has become our adversary. However, if we are "dead to the LAW—If by the death of Christ, we are delivered from it-–then we are free to live in the "newness of the Spirit" of Life (vs. 6).

FOR REFLECTION

What is the link between our guilt and our deliverance from the Law? It is the forgiveness of God. Through His sufferings and death, the Lord Jesus Christ has met "the righteous requirement of the Law" (OSB Romans 8:4). The Cross is the answer to the judgment of the Law. By it, God offers forgiveness to the penitent as Paul declares, "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (OSB Romans 8:1). Free of accusation and condemnation, believers may live in freedom from the fear of punishment of the righteous God. Instead of being oppressed by guilt and dread, our hearts can be open to the Spirit.