Romans 7:1-25
Friends, there was a good reason why Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus, and that reason goes way beyond Saul persecuting the church. I am convince that God knew Paul's commitment to the law and the knowledge that he had about the law, not to mention the love, and the fact that he was very zealous about the law. The law had become the best husband Paul ever had. But Paul also knew that the husband (the law) that he loved and held very dear to his heart, had also become his worst nightmare.
God could have chosen any of the twelve. But history clearly teaches us that maybe aside from "Luke," the physician, not many knew the law like Paul knew it. We know that Paul learned the law under a very skillful and prominent teacher named Gamaliel. And in order for Paul to relate to anyone about the law of Moses, he had to talk to people who really knew the law, and that is why this leller of Paul to the Romans is geared more to those who knew the law than to those who don't know a thing about the law. Our so called modern day Christian know squat about the law, yet they keep trying to identify themselves
with it. What a joke!
Maybe if Evangelical Christianity learned the difference between law and grace, we wouldn't have all the sheep's as scattered as they are today. It is said that a sheep is about the most ignorant (stupid) animal on the face of the earth. Until Evangelical Christianity understands that this entire bible is about 2 covenants, the covenant of the law and the covenant of grace, their sheep (followers) will continue in ignorance and in an adulterous relationship with God. Friends, Jesus is our only true shepherd. When Jesus came into the picture as our new shepherd, the old shepherd who kept leading the sheep in circles through the wilderness passed away with his law.
If you are still trying to live by the works of the law, then you are still dead in your sins and trespasses. Look at how Paul described himself before the law: "For I was ALIVE without, without, without, without the LAW once; but when the commandment (the law) came, SIN was brought to life and I died." We ought to chew on this like a cow for a while and think about what Paul is saying here in verse 9 of Romans chapter 7. The problem with Christians is that they swallow more than they chew, and in doing so they always find themselves choking in their own holier than thou righteousness because they are forever quoting and taking things out of context.
Now, look at what Paul found out about the commandment (law) in verse 10 "And the commandment, which was ordained (given) to bring life, I found out later on that it really was meant for death." Friends, at first the law looked good to Paul, and it probably looked good because he could go around using the law to his advantage and as a disadvantage for others. But when Paul saw that he was just as guilty under the commandment, that's when all hell breaks lose for Paul as he testifies in the rest of Romans chapter 7. Paul wanted to convey this very same message to the Jews.
He was pretty much pleading with them. Probably something like: "Hey you guys. I am bringing all of this to your attention for your own good. The law will keep messing you up if you continue to believe that you are being made righteous by the law. I am not here to condemn you, but to warn you about the consequences of trying to live by the laws of your old husband. You now have a new husband and He serves you by love and not law. He is gracious, kind, long-suffering and true and He will never, ever hold any sin, guilt, fear or failures against you. He wasn't sent to condemn you but to save you from your old husband."
Friends, this morning, at 8 AM Colorado time, the 15th of February, Kenneth Copeland quoted verse 14 of Romans chapter 6 and here's what he said: "Sin will not have dominion over you as long as you keep to the Lord's commandments." Then he went on to give all sort of religious, legalistic, performance based, hoops and loops examples of self-righteousness. Not once did this man mentioned who it was that had overcome sin, so that sin no longer has dominion over anyone. He took all the credit, glory and praise to himself. What a disgrace to the work of the cross and the Gospel of Grace?
This identified 33rd degree Mason, who goes by the name of Kenneth Copeland, who continues to preach a "3 Amigos" gospel, is about as sheep as they come. If people only knew how much death men like the Copeland's are preaching and teaching? Now, just as it is mentioned in verse 8 of Romans chapter 7, Paul again uses the word "occasion" in verse 11 "For sin, taking the occasion [opportunity advantage) by the law (not by grace), DECEIVED me, and it KILLED me." What did Paul say the law did? How was Paul feeling before the law came? What did Paul say took place after he learned what the law had said?
to be continued....
Grace N Peace
Eddie Narvaez