The Shackles of the Saint
Romans 7:1-13
In chapter 5, we see the potential sanctification. Paul introduces the idea that we, a fallen creature, can obtain sanctification. We deserve death and hell but God’s grace offers life. In chapter 6, we see positional sanctification. This sanctification comes only through the person of Jesus Christ. Now in chapter 7, we see powerless sanctification. Our sanctification can be powerless if we try to live it in the wrong strength. Once we receive forgiveness, we can live in the power of Christ in which we will experience the amazing power of God or we can live it in our strength in which we will shackle ourselves to the law loosing all power.
In verse 1, Paul shows us that he is writing to a people that have comprehension of the law. We all know the law for God wrote it upon our hearts. Acts 7:53 Paul tells the Israelites that they knew the law but chose not to follow it. Also in Acts 15:10, he tells them that the law is a yoke.
Next, Paul gives a correspondence to the law, a picture to make it clearer. He uses marriage. Now He is not giving rules and regulations concerning marriage but using it as an example. He simply says that when a spouse dies, the other is free from the marriage law to marry another. When we ask Christ to forgive us and be our Lord, we die to sin through the law and are free to marry another, Christ.
In verses 4-6, we see our connection to the law. We have become dead and are no longer bound to it. The law can no longer condemn us verses 7, 8. Since the law is dead to us and no longer condemns us, when we try to govern ourselves by the Law, we shackle ourselves.
So, what do we do with the law? Is not God concerned about our good works? Yes, but the law is only our schoolmaster and once we come to Christ, it is dead. Instead of running the race with a dead body strapped to our back, we should run in the freedom of Christ. In verse 4, we die to bear fruit. This is our service out of duty. In verse 6 we see a shift from duty to love for we are delivered to serve. Service, once we live in Christ, becomes an act out of love and a privilege.
I do not work my soul to save,
That work my Lord hath done.
But I will serve like any slave,
For the love of God’s dear Son.