Romans, Day 6
Romans 7 – 8 | Wanted: Dead and Alive
Remember those Old West posters that had a picture of a bad hombre on them and the title: “Wanted: Dead or Alive”? The Law was after someone who was destined for the boneyard.
In Romans Chapter 7, the apostle Paul writes about the law, no doubt referencing the law of Moses, the Jewish constitution. As do many today, people thought that obeying the law was the way to merit salvation and forgiveness. Paul explains that all the law could do was show how sinful they were because they could not obey it. The law itself was good, but it was the power of sin within them that kept them from pleasing God. Paul’s arguments prove that man cannot live by the law; the law merely condemns us by holding up its righteous mirror and revealing our sin nature. Trying to be justified by it is futile — the flesh is dead; why indulge it (Romans 6:11)?
Chapter 8 brings hope: the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, dwells within the believer, delivering us from the power of sin. Because Jesus Christ, by the power of the Spirit, obeyed the law perfectly, he cannot be condemned; therefore, He gained for us new, eternal life in the Spirit. Because Christ is in us, we can breathe a sigh of relief. We have been granted an acquittal from the accusations of the law. What Jesus has, we have: no condemnation, eternal life, and the promise of a glorious resurrection.
We are not under the tyranny of the law that says, “Obey me or die! BWAHAHAHA!” We are under the benevolent dictatorship of the Spirit, Who says, “Trust me and have life and peace (Romans 8:6).”
Snow is deceptive: It is lovely to look at, but I do not enjoy shoveling it. Before we bought a snowblower, we had to move and throw tons of snow by hand. I felt we had the sentence of death upon us. Now that we have the power of 8 horses, the work is not as life-threatening. When that Honda springs to life, the task is lighter. So it is with living in the Spirit: obedience is made easier.
Life in the Spirit has other benefits that far outweigh and outlast the warranty on our snowblower:
- We are made sons and daughters of God (Romans 8:14 – 17).
- Fear is banished from our life (Romans 8:15).
- We have tangible hope in the midst of suffering (Romans 8:18 – 25).
- We gain two infallible prayer partners (Romans 8:26 – 27, 34).
- We gain the promise that no suffering is ever wasted (Romans 8:28 – 30).
Finally, all of what is promised in love to those who walk by the Spirit cannot be overcome, hindered, or lost through any circumstances, no matter how dire. Floods cannot drown it; fires cannot burn it; cancers cannot consume it; enemies cannot kill it; legislators cannot outlaw it; thieves cannot steal it; nakedness cannot shame it; and angels cannot spirit it away.
I had a pastor who said, “Not getting saved is stupid.” Considering the benefits of living for God in Christ out of gratitude, like Paul (Romans 7:25), not doing so is equally unwise.
So, which do you choose: Spirit or flesh? God wants you dead (to sin) and alive (to God) (Romans 6:11).
Walking by faith,
Alan Allegra