20. Romans 7:7-13 - The Law and Sin

October 16th, 2024
by Jongseung Park

This passage continues Paul’s discussion about the Law and its relationship with sin. He is responding to possible objections that the Law itself might be seen as sinful or responsible for death. Paul emphatically denies this and instead points to the role of sin in distorting and abusing the Law’s purpose.

1. SCRIPTURE

7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. 13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.

2. OBSERVATIONS :

The Law is not sinful but instead acts as a mirror, revealing human sinfulness. Without the Law, people wouldn’t fully understand the nature of their sins(v. 7). The Law acts like a spotlight, showing us where we’ve gone wrong.
Sin uses the Law as an opportunity to provoke rebellion. When the Law tells us not to do something, our sinful nature often responds by desiring the very thing that is forbidden.(v. 8) It’s like when someone tells you not to do something, and suddenly, that’s the only thing you want to do!
Before we understood the Law, we often felt a false sense of freedom or "aliveness," indulging in our desires without realizing the deeper implications. However, when we came to grasp the true meaning of the commandments, we recognized our inability to meet those standards on our own. This realization can lead to a profound sense of spiritual death and despair, highlighting our need for redemption(v. 9).
The Law was meant to bring life by showing people how to live, but because of sin, it ended up highlighting our failures and bringing condemnation(v. 10).
Sin is deceptive. It takes something good, like the Law, and distorts it. It tempts us to either rebel against the Law or to believe we can save ourselves by perfectly keeping to it—both paths ultimately lead to failure and spiritual death(v. 11).
The problem is not the Law but sin. The Law itself is holy, righteous, and good. It’s not the Law that brings death; it’s sin that causes the problem. The Law reveals just how deeply sinful we are and how badly we need help beyond just following rules(v 12-13).

3. APPLICATION:

I've realized that I have a tendency to view the Law too negatively due to my lack of understanding about salvation by faith alone (sola fide) and grace alone (sola gratia). I have learned that the Law itself is not the problem; rather, it is sin that creates the issue. The Law reflects God's holiness and helps me see where I need to grow.

As Paul explained before, when we say we've "died to the Law," it means we've been freed from the Law’s condemnation and the pressure of trying to earn righteousness through it. It does not mean we are free from the Law's moral guidance. In fact, the Law still shows us what it means to live in a way that honors God. It teaches us what kind of fruit we should bear as believers. So instead of focusing on the Law as a burden or bad thing, I will focus on how it guides me toward producing the good fruit that God desires in my life. I will actively strive to bear such good fruit in my life through the works of the Holy Spirit.

Sin is sneaky and deceptive, and this truth serves as a wake-up call for me. It reminds me to stay alert and aware because sin can use even good things, like the Law, to trick me. It might deceive me into thinking that bending the rules or compromising in small ways is acceptable, leading me down a path toward sin. This reminds me how important it is to constantly seek God's wisdom and guidance. Therefore, I’m going to pray for more awareness of how sin deceives me. When I feel tempted to bend the rules or justify something I know is wrong, I’ll stop and ask God for clarity. I will keep my focus on living in alignment with God’s will, relying on His grace rather than being misled by sin's lies.

4. PRAYER:

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your Word, which shows me what is right and wrong. Thank You that Your Law helps me see my sin and my need for You.

Please open my eyes to the ways that sin deceives me. Help me recognize when I’m being tempted to rebel against Your will or when I’m trying to justify things that aren’t right. I need Your wisdom to see clearly and Your strength to resist temptation. May I rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit in every part of my life, and may I bear the good fruit of the Spirit.

Thank You that even though I fall short, You are always there to forgive me and help me grow. Thank You for loving me enough to show me my sin and for leading me into a better life through Your Spirit. Help me live in Your grace, trusting in Jesus instead of my own ability.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Posted in Book of Romans