Leave it all Behind

Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.  For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

Romans 7:4-6

Paul explained that the Law only applies to those who are alive.  He gave the example that someone can only commit adultery when their spouse is still alive.  If the woman/man has relations with another while their spouse is dead, the Law does not apply.  

There are 2 ways we die to the Law: a physical death and a spiritual one.  The obvious physical death would apply to this example where a person isn't tied to the Law anymore when they pass on.  The other death that we should be focusing on is the spiritual death in Christ Jesus.

When Jesus died on the cross, He died to pay the penalty of sin but He also rose again in victory over death.  When we focus on what was accomplished on the cross we get a better understanding of what Paul is trying to say in Romans 7:4-6.  When Jesus died on that cross, it was to abolish each and every one of our sins.  And when Paul said "you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ" it simply means we're born again in the resurrection.  We are no longer slaves to sin that made itself evident through the Law.

In later verses, Paul explained that sin and the Law are closely tied together.  It's like any type of rules today.  A set of rules are setup to govern a place or situation and when everyone follows it and its underlying agenda, things are great, just as the rule-maker intended.  But when rules are broken, light is shined upon the rule-breaker.  Or even worse, when someone uses the rules or "system" for their own benefit instead of the rule-maker's motives.  The rules were great with the correct heart but without it, it reveals the ugliness and selfishness of that person.

But now we're set free from this enslavement to the Law.  This Law, originally created for good, was being enforced by the perverse with sinful ambitions.  This Law brought death because it pointed out that none of us are worthy, absolutely no one.  It was there to keep us in line with God and also to point out how flawed we are; that we are sinners.  God the Father gave us His Son to release us of this heavy burden.

As I meditate on God word here I know what needs to be done... die.  I need to die daily to my old ways.  I'm not a Jew so I don't have the Mosaic Law to follow, nor is there any expectations to do so.  But this is a reminder that I need to trust Jesus with my everything.  I can't rely on my methods or experiences to carry me through any situation.  I just need Jesus.  The only way I'll ever serve Jesus in Spirit is if I allow Him to lift me up from the grave.  It's a surrender.

Father God, thank You for being a great Counselor!  I'm so lost without You, I don't know what I'd do.  So please Lord, guide Your servant through this unknown territory.  Help me to be a great husband, family member, leader,.. and ultimately a great father as well.  I will continue to pray, seek, ask & knock Lord.  In Your wonderful name Lord Jesus I pray, amen.