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Romans 7

Understanding our connection with the law

Have you ever wondered why junk food is more tasty than healthy food?

Which tastes better?

Paul explains to us that all of these questions are related to our connection with the law. You might be tempted to think that the problem lies with the law itself. If there was no law then we wouldn’t be in trouble. However the real problem has more to do with what you want than it does with the law.

The function of the law is to expose your inclination to be selfish and self serving. So much so that you are prepared to exchange God for a lie and hurt people instead of loving them. You do this by wanting what gives you pleasure much more than God. You do this by lying, stealing and being unfaithful in your relationships, all of which hurts people.

Paul teaches that in Christ you have a new nature that when it comes into contact with the law it doesn’t instinctively want to run in the opposite direction. Christ develops in you a new desire which loves God and loves people. The law then defines for you what this looks like in real life. It looks like love, patience, kindness, gentleness, self control etc.

The struggle you have is with our old nature that still craves the pleasure of the flesh. Sometimes you do the opposite of what you want because your old cravings tempt you to enjoy what you know is wrong and bad. This struggle is normal for every Christian. Your hope is that we will bit by bit gain victory over your carnal self. Your hope is that Christ will once and for all deliver you when you enter into eternity with Him. the Rev

Romans 7 Appreciate God’s Law

Bible Reading: Romans 7

Exercises

• Discuss the use of ‘marriage’ in v1-6 and share how Paul applies this to you. 

• Discuss the value of the law and how sin uses the law against us v7-12.

• Discuss who the ‘bad guy‘ is in v13-25 and give an example from your own life.   

• Share something of the liberty you have in Christ in terms of your desire.

Prayer: Heavenly Father forgive me for so often seeking the pleasure of breaking your law. Deliver me from the dominion of pleasing myself. Enable me to value your law and to love obeying it, not from dread, but from a motive of love, for you and for people. As I live according to your law may people be blessed and may they come to appreciate the value of your law for their own lives.  Amen