Romans 7:1-25
"What shall we say then?" Paul begins verse 7 with a question. It is the same exact question he asked in chapter 6 and verse 1. It is more like: "What shall we say then to the things I just covered in verses 1 through 6 of chapter 7? It is always a good idea to go back and read the verses before and also the verses after in order not lose track of the point that Paul is trying to make. Now, several times throughout many of Paul's letters we find him asking: "Is the law sin?" Paul then answers his own question by saying: "God forbid." Now, we need to remember that Paul is giving witness to Jews about what it was like to be under the law and what is like to be under grace.
Now, how did Paul come to know what sin was? Friends, the answer is found in verse 7 "I had not known what sin was, until the law was given." "For I had not known what lust was until the law said it." Friends, if Paul had not known what sin was until the law of Moses came into the picture, then what sin or sins were being held against Paul prior to the law of Moses? We find the answer in verse 15 of chapter 4 "Where there is no law, there is no sin." This ought to clear up a lot of the religious 'malt liquor bull' that the Evangelical Church and other religions have been falsely preaching for years.
Teaching and preaching that God held sin against man before the law, during the law, and even after Christ fulfilled the law. If the law was what revealed our sins, since sin got it's strength from the law, and now the law has been put to death in the body of Christ, then what sin or sins are there yet to be confessed and forgiven? We need to seriously think about what Paul is saying here in these verses. This is where a sin conscience can be once and for all eliminated from our religious legalistic thinking. This is where we can grab the religious bull by the horn (the evangelical pulpit) and twist him to the ground, and thrust the sword of grace into its neck and say: "Where there is no law there is no sin".
Friends, if there has ever been one damaging thing that has afflicted the hearts, and minds of many, it is that of a sin conscience mentality. The heart of Evangelical Christianity and other religions like it, is about the constant confession of sin. It is all about SIN, SIN, SIN, SIN, SIN, SIN, SIN, SIN, confess your sins, deal with your sins, repent of sins, make sure you have confessed your sins. God will not bless you, use you nor help you if you are living in sin and haven't come to the altar to confess all of your sins." Now, what do you suppose happens to the mind and heart of a person when they are constantly reminded of SIN, SINS, and MORE SINS?"
Friends, if there be anything we need to renewed our minds to it is that of "Where there's no law, there's no sin." "Where there's no law, there's no sin." "Where there's no law, there's no sin." "Where there is grace, there's no law." "Where there is grace, there's no law." Where there's no death, there is life." "Where there is Christ, there is peace." "Where there is Christ, there is freedom." "Where there is love, there is no sin." Where there's no law, there's no sin." Now, imagine what would happened to the heart and mind if our conscience was to believe what the Gospel of God's Grace teaches versus that which the law teaches?
I could spent hours and days on verse 7 alone. And it would take even weeks and perhaps a month to cover verses 8 and 9. There is just so much sweet honey of love in these verses. There is just such a sweet aroma and fragrance of grace in these passages. If you are looking for deliverance from constant thoughts of worry, fear, guilt, and all sorts of religious condemnation, you have come to the verses that will once and for all set you free, and you need not for anyone to lay their hands on you. If you get what is being said here in these verses, the old mentality of a sin conscience mind will become a thing of the past. You'll be able to look the pulpit right in the eye and say: "WHAT SIN?"
to be continued...
Grace N Peace
Eddie Narvaez