EXPLORE IT - Romans 7:7-12

Romans 7:7-12  What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet." ⁸But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead.  ⁹Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died.  ¹⁰I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.  ¹¹For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.  ¹²So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

As we begin our next five week series(es), we will be diving into two passages, Matthew 14 and Romans 7.  I’ll be taking us through the Romans passage while Pastor Todd will be walking us through the Matthew passage.

In our Romans passage this week (Romans 7:7-12), Paul is writing about his struggles with sin in relation to the law.  The law Paul refers to is not the law of the day or the Roman law, but to the Law of Moses; specifically the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17).  The Ten Commandments were given to the Israelites in the Old Testament.  Interestingly, these “laws” were not accompanied by any human penalty for breaking them.  The Israelites were given warnings of punishment by God if they were broken or promises of His blessing if followed.  Jewish families were taught that in learning these commandments and studying the Torah (the first five books of the Bible), it was possible to overcome evil and sin.  Paul disagreed.

The law helps us to understand how we are to live, but in our own power, we are unable to keep God’s commands.  We must live with help from the Holy Spirit.  Without Him, sin seizes us and we are destined for death.  With Him and through His strength, we are able to overcome sin and temptation and we are able to live victoriously.

If you are struggling with sin in your life, trying to overcome it on your own is futile.  We must ask the Holy Spirit for His strength and His power so we are able to live triumphant over sin!

Blessings,
Pastor Amy