Intro
Last week I continued to explain that we have been “Set Free From The Law”. A proper understanding of and distinguishing of the Law and the Gospel is necessary not only in our study of the Book of Romans, but also our understanding of the Bible, the Gospel, and our endeavouring to live out what we might call “Gospel-centered lives. I believe the texts I had given in the past 2 sermons by the title “Set Free From the Law” and some of the quotes I have shared demonstrated that while the Law was perfect and good, it’s intended goal was to give knowledge of, and magnify, sin. As the Apostle Paul explains in the letter to the Galatians, the Law was a tutor, a schoolmaster. A schoolmaster that led those under the Old Covenant to see the failure of self-righteousness and the need for a Savior, helped the Gentiles (who came to know of it), and surely helps us, as well.
What I’d like to do this morning is carry the conversation regarding our being set free from the Law a bit further and set the context for the glories we will read about in Romans chapter 8. I’d like to have us review 3 passages this morning.
Galatians 3:19 – 29
The Law
“Until the Seed”
“Promise by faith”
“We are no longer under a guardian”
The Jew under Law
The Gentile affected by the Law
“We are no longer under a guardian” – Gal. 3:24
Children, the immature, need a tutor. Those of us in Jesus Christ are “the mature”. What we learn and discern through the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message for the mature.
Romans 2:9 – 16
All who sin under the Law will be judged by the Law
All who sin without Law will be judged without the Law.
“Work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness…” – Rom. 2:15
Notice that the Apostolic Gospel locks both Jew and Gentile under sin. Some of the Gentiles though, operated out of a renewed conscience, showing forth God’s work of election even among the Gentiles. Sure, there were different standards, just as there were different blessings and responsibilities, however judgement was and is left to God. The work of maintaining a good conscience by faith in no other works but Jesus Christ’s is part of the gospel. This is a message for the mature.
Romans 7:1- 25
The full context is 2:17 – 7:25
- Those who know the Law (v. 1)
- v. 2-4
- v. 5 – 6
- v. 7 – 13
- v. 14 – 25
“I find then the principle that evil is present within me, the one who wishes to do good”. – Rom. 7:21
The primary audience for much of the discussion in this portion of Romans is those who call themselves “Jews” of Romans chapter 2. We see specifically in chapter 1 that Paul is speaking to ‘those who know the Law’. Consider verses 6, 9-13, and 21.
So…
The purpose of the Law.
To give knowledge of and to magnify sin. To lead towards repentance. To tutor one towards faith in Jesus Christ.
The Law should not/ cannot be divided.
Those who seek the divide the Law or impose parts of it are all together wrong. More recently it has been Bible teacher and apologist Gary DeMar who has tried to create a hermenuetic of mingle the Old Testament Law into New Covenant lives. Even just reviewing some of the comments on my social media in these regards demonstrates quite a bit of confusion within Christianity, even amongst Preterists. Ward Fenley call these folks “10 Commandment Proponents”.
(Mention Ward Fenley’s work and recent post)
10 Glaring Problems For 10 Commandment Proponents
The Law is not our standard, so what is…?
“While the Old Law does not exist today, sin does. And sin still separates just as it did for Jews under the Ministration of Death or Gentiles “who have not the Law”, but who were dead in sin nonetheless. It is resurrection life from sin that has become a reality in Christ. Those who come into Christ today are set free from sin, (Ephesians 2:1), and raised to walk in newness of life, (Romans 6:1- 4).” – Dr. Don K. Preston
No More Law
Jer. 3:16; Isa. 65:17
Romans 4:5; 5:13; 7:8
Randy Nuss
“Morality is 100% culturally relevant”
“How does one know what “sin” is now?”
- Called To Conviction
- Conversation I had – How do you influence rather than be influenced?
Seek, Search, Study, & Prove.
“The answer was only to be found in persistent trying, perpetual experimentation, persevering togetherness.” – Dr. Martin Luther King
Jesus summarised the Law; in these two commandments; Royal law, Law of Christ
Matthew 22:34-40; Galatians 6:2; James 2:8;
“Wait. Sin still exists? Christ died for them. What am I missing?” – Adie Adie
Christ died for the sins of His people. Election. There are those outside the gates.
“Whatever is not of faith is sin” – Jeff Rogers
Romans 14:5, 23
Conclusion
The Gospel message that the Apostle Paul explained in Romans 1:16-17 is a message for the mature.
As I mentioned last week, the words of contemporary theologian Christopher J.H. Wright, “To imagine that “living Biblically” means trying to keep as many ancient rules as possible just because they are in the Bible misses the point of the law in the first place”.
Consider the words of J.D. Grear, pastor, former president of the Southern Baptist convention, words that should cause and might help each of us to “examine ourselves”; “It is one thing to understand the gospel but it is quite another to experience the gospel in such a way that it fundamentally changes us and becomes the source of our identity and security. It is one thing to grasp the essence of the gospel but quite another thing to think out its implications for all of life. We all struggle to explore the mysteries of the gospel on a regular basis and to allow its message to influence our thinking”
That’s a renewed mind. That’s what we will read and talk about in Romans chapter 12. That’s a Gospel-centered reality. Raising the bar above the system of Law and encouraging the conscience – in and individual and corporate way. As sister Therese Bertsch said on my post regarding our growing past sin, “A day at a time”..
The RBC ministry puts out booklets we have in the hallway. I often read them as I find a short amount of free time. A quote I had taken from one of the booklets was, “…Scripture reveals that it’s the so-called “little” decisions that really define the quality of our life. Obeying God is the everyday, routine choices is what what shares our faith and defines our character”.
What everyday, routine choices do you make that demonstrate obedience to God? What areas can your grow and increase in?
Possessing and increasing in such things is a message for the mature.
As a mature member of the Body of Christ;
- I know the Law of Moses (Old Covenant) was given to not to be a standard of righteousness, but rather to give knowledge of and magnify sin.
- I know the Law of Moses cannot and should not be divided or piecemealed.
- I can be led by a Spirit-led renewed mind/ conscience and do not need laws and commandments to guide me.
MIANO-GONE-WILD 