“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Absolutely not! Certainly, I would not have known sin except through the law. For indeed I would not have known what it means to desire something belonging to someone else if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of wrong desires. For apart from the law, sin is dead. And I was once alive apart from the law, but with the coming of the commandment sin became alive and I died. So I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life brought death! For sin, seizing the opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it I died. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.” Romans 7:7-12 NET
Have you ever contemplated the possibility that life might
be more enriching if we were blissfully unaware of the law, its complex rules,
and intricate ordinances? Imagine living in a world where we could navigate our
daily interactions free from the burdens of moral and legal expectations—where
our actions would go unjudged, unbound by the constraints of right and wrong.
In such a scenario, the very notion of sin could potentially evaporate, as
there would be no defined parameters to delineate virtuous behavior from
transgression.
At first, this idea might feel liberating, offering an
alluring escape from the heavy cloak of accountability that can often feel
suffocating. However, beneath this seemingly enticing surface lies a troubling
truth. This perspective is not only fundamentally flawed but also perilously
deceptive. Sin is not merely a dry legal term; it is a dynamic force, fueled by
the deceiver who deftly seeks to entangle us in confusion, drawing us away from
the light of understanding and the love of our Creator.
This insidious presence thrives in the shadows of ignorance,
exploiting our vulnerabilities and drawing a veil over our conscience. Far from
providing freedom, such ignorance leads us further into a labyrinth of
deception, ultimately creating barriers that separate us from true fulfillment
and genuine harmony with ourselves, others, and God. Ultimately, to embrace
ignorance is not to find freedom, but to fall deeper into the entrapments of
deception and separation from God and from our true selves.
Paul presents a deeply intriguing question: “Is the law
sin?” His answer is absolute and unwavering: “Absolutely not.” But what drives
this conviction? If the law is a tool that uncovers and clarifies the presence
of sin in our lives—acting as a mirror reflecting our moral shortcomings—might
it not seem that a life lived without it could offer a sense of freedom?
However, this notion quickly unravels when we consider that a life devoid of
law would inevitably spiral into chaos and disarray.
Historically, the Old Testament recounts tumultuous times
when the children of Israel wandered astray from God, governed by
their own whims, as they were “doing what was right in their own eyes.” This
mindset embodies the essence of anarchy, where the absence of a guiding legal
framework gives way to a cacophony of conflicting values and unrestrained
impulses. In such a scenario, individual desires might clash violently, leading
to moral erosion and societal breakdown, as people act solely for their own
benefit without regard for the common good.
The reality is that a well-defined legal system is crucial
for establishing order, upholding justice, and fostering a cohesive society. It
provides the necessary structure that enables people to coexist harmoniously,
cultivating a sense of responsibility and accountability. Without the law, we
risk surrendering to chaos, where order descends into turmoil and true freedom
is sacrificed on the altar of self-interest.
The fundamental idea is that sin loses its power and
significance without the law; however, this does not mean we can attain true
moral perfection or righteousness without it. As human beings, we inherently
need a guiding presence to help steer our actions and decisions, offering a
framework of ultimate authority to navigate the complexities and challenges of
life. We are wired to seek governance by something greater than ourselves, a
belief that provides us with stability, purpose, and a profound sense of belonging
in a vast universe. Our Creator fulfills this vital need by establishing moral
truths through the law, which serves as a compass for our behavior. Moreover,
this divine relationship provides us with spiritual guidance and a foundation for
something transcendent, enriching our lives with meaning. It inspires us to
pursue a purpose that stretches beyond our individual desires, fostering a
quest for understanding and fulfillment that aligns with a higher calling.
Paul’s purpose is not to speak ill of the Law of Moses but
to highlight a profound truth: nothing was hidden from Adam in the Garden of
Eden; the fullness of God’s nature and essence was on full display for him to
behold, including the critical understanding of good and evil. In this sacred
space, God intended for humanity to experience true freedom—freedom from the
burdensome constraints of the law and an opportunity to see only God as the
ultimate source of life, fulfillment, and joy.
This overarching theme of this transformative journey is
compellingly articulated by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:16, where he proclaims,
“From now on, we acknowledge no one from a human point of view. Even though we
once knew Christ in this way, we no longer know him in that way.” Here,
Paul emphasizes a significant shift in perspective that accompanies knowing
Christ—one that transcends superficial judgments of the flesh based on worldly
standards and appearances.
The verses reach a mighty crescendo with the declaration: “Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look,
what is new has come!” This striking assertion illustrates the radical
transformation that occurs when one embraces believing loyalty in Christ,
heralding a rebirth that invites everyone to shed their pasts, complete with
their limitations and failures. It beckons us to step into an exhilarating new
existence, marked by hope, purpose, and the magnificent power of divine grace.
Such rebirth empowers all believers to live vibrantly in the present, enriched
by the promise of a life deeply intertwined with the goodness and abundant
provision of God, radiating His love and light into the world.
Sin seeped into the world through the insidious whisper of
deception, rather than through the law, which was never meant for humanity. The
law was established for those incapable of adhering to its
mandates, specifically for creations like the deceiver himself, who represented
the epitome of rebellion. This law illuminated the profound righteousness of
God, a vital truth that shone brightly from the very dawn of creation. Adam and
Eve were given a singular command: to revel in the pure joy and intimacy
provided by their Creator, to immerse themselves in His boundless goodness and
beauty, and to focus wholly on Him.
Yet, the moment sin entered the scene, it catalyzed a tragic
and transformative shift in their perception. Instead of basking in the warmth
of divine love and the abundant provision of their Creator, Adam and Eve began
to see themselves as fundamentally flawed and lacking in value. They perceived their
vulnerability in a new, disturbing light—they saw themselves as naked, exposed,
and shame-ridden before God. This harrowing realization was not a revelation
from the deceiver; instead, it arose organically as a consequence of their
yearning to position themselves as equals to God, pursuing autonomy instead of
surrendering to the divine order. This desire fundamentally altered their
relationship with God and unleashed a destructive cycle of sin that would echo
through the ages, affecting all of humanity.
Paul makes a compelling observation when he states, “The
commandment is holy, righteous, and good. It was meant to guide me toward a
fulfilling life, but due to the presence of sin, it has instead led to death.”
This highlights a crucial truth: the law itself is not flawed or unjust;
instead, sin acts like a pervasive virus, infecting every aspect of life and
rendering it toxic. The deceiver, fully aware of this destructive potential,
was motivated by a deep-seated jealousy. He sought to introduce chaos and corruption
into humanity’s existence, understanding that if he could not elevate himself
to the level of divine power, he would relentlessly work to undermine and
thwart God’s meticulously crafted plan for humanity’s redemption and
flourishing.
God never wanted us to bear the crushing weight of judgment
and condemnation. This divine understanding is what compelled Jesus to embrace
the cross. He willingly took upon Himself the immense burden of our sins,
breaking the chains that bind us and offering a transformative antidote to the
insidious virus of sin that infiltrates our hearts and souls.
When we turn to Him with our believing loyalty and open our
hearts to His sacrifice, we are welcomed into an awe-inspiring and
transformative relationship with our Creator. This relationship liberates us
from the harsh penalties that sin imposes; we are no longer shackled by our
past failures and mistakes. Instead, we are enveloped in His righteousness, a
radiant garment that serves as our armor against the relentless accusations of
sin.
This divine righteousness disarms sin of its power, ensuring
it can no longer lead us into spiritual death or separation from our loving
Father. In its place, we are reborn by the life of Christ, a new life and a transformative
presence that pinches alive our spirits and empowers our mortal bodies. As we
embrace this newness of life, we discover profound joy and peace that
flourishes with His will, guiding our every step and enriching our
journey of faith.
Like the Hymn “Jesus paid it all,” written back in 1865 by Elvina M. Hall. It encompasses practically everything mentioned in this blog post. Here is the first stanza and chorus:
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
Stephen Barnett
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