This Day, In the Word

Romans 7:1-6 NASB

“Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives?  For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband.  So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man. 
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.”

Ever experience trouble breaking a bad habit.  Are you preoccupied with things you want to change about yourself?

The bible says “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.”  One effect of the law was that it shows and convicts mankind of sin.  Romans 5:13 says, “until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law” Praise God for the law, as it lets us know we are in dire need for a savior.  On our own, we can’t fulfill the law, nor can we obtain righteousness or please God.  We need a savior!

Simple every day tasks can be a challenge when you don’t have help.  More serious issues like smoking, drinking, lying, infidelity…anything you struggle with, can prove to be unbeatable on our own.

My friend there is hope!  Jesus Christ came that we might have life and that more abundantly!  

Through Christ “…you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him [Jesus Christ] who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”

How does this help me?  Well, when we acknowledge what Jesus did on the cross, fulfilling the law and stripping sin of its power, we receive ability, power, and grace to overcome the obstacles or the “sin which so easily entangles us…”  We change our focus from the problem to the solution, which in turn, takes us from defeat to victory! 

Focusing only on sin and weakness breeds more sin and weakness.  A focus on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, through His Holy Word, and what He accomplished at the cross brings faith and power to overcome anything we face in life, no matter how big or small. 

My advice to you my friend would be to start magnifying Jesus Christ, our answer to every issue in life.  Start focusing on what Jesus has done for you and freely given you by grace.  What He’s done, provided and paid for cannot be earned, only received through faith in Jesus, our savior. 

Become preoccupied with Him and His word instead of what you don’t have, and what you can’t stop doing.  The Holy Spirit will give you grace to overcome every issue in your life.   
My friends, Jesus Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death!