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NASB | Romans 7:4 ¶ 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. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 7:4 ¶ Therefore, my fellow believers, you too died to the Law through the [crucified] body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. |
Bible Question (short): Will you enter God's rest? |
Question (full): Dear Steve, I do understand what you are saying. I was bound for 30 years, as you say, 'trying to obey them ALL.' And, you're right, brother, it is a struggle. Always trying to keep short accounts with God, even though God had said that the account was 'paid in full - it is finished.' If you are being honest with yourself, you KNOW that you can't obey them all. No one ever has EXCEPT Christ. He fulfilled ALL of the Law. Then, He caused us, through our union with Him, to die to it. Why? Because we are now joined to Him. Brother, I love you in the Lord. I have been where you are now. You're right - under law, the Christian life is a struggle. But Christ said, "My yoke is EASY, My burden is LIGHT. Come to me and you will find REST (not struggle) for your soul." Would you describe your Christian life as easy, light, and restful? I couldn't. After 30 years, I felt no more 'perfected' than the day I began my walk with Christ. I could still think the same sinful thoughts and act out the same sinful patterns of my 'old man.' I was miserable. I, too, wanted to obey all the laws of God. I knew that they were holy, good, and righteous. But I couldn't find LIFE there. Scripture says that no law was ever given which could IMPART LIFE or righteousness. All the Law could do was show me my sinfulness. I was like Paul in Romans 7. I wanted to obey with all my heart but I always, somewhere, fell short. No matter how much I repented and confessed my sins, no matter how much I attended church, no matter how much I prayed, no matter how much I tithed, no matter how much I witnessed, no matter how many times I rededicated myself (I wore my rededicator out), I NEVER felt like I measured up to the Christian I ought to be. In frustration, I was ready to bail out, and I cried, "What a wretch I am!" Then, through a series of events, and the help of some wonderful Christians, I began to understand my identity in Christ. Christ, my brother, is the ONLY one who can ever live the Christian life as it is meant to be lived. He alone is acceptable to God. Through are spiritual union with Him, we are MADE acceptable and righteous before God. At our deepest level of being, our spirit has been joined to Christ's Spirit. That is how the scripture can say we HAVE BEEN (past tense) perfected. As I now live by His Spirit (remember, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me), I am BEING perfected (present tense) in my soul (my behavior). And, one day I WILL BE perfected (future tense) COMPLETELY, spirit, soul, and body, when I inherit my redeemed body. But, Steve, my identity, who I am at the spirit level is a new creation in Christ. My spirit IS perfect before God. Why? Because it is joined with His Spirit. How could it be otherwise? That is where I rest. Yes, I still commit sins, my behavior (soul) is not perfect. But that is not who I am. As Paul says in Romans 7, sin dwells in my body, but it is NOT ME. I am a new creation created to, yes, do good works. But why? Look at Christ's life, Steve. Did He do good works to be made righteous? No, He did good works because He WAS righteous. He did do good works to be made acceptable to His Father? No, God said that He was acceptable BEFORE Christ ever started His public ministry (remember, 'This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.') Christ was righteous, holy, acceptable because He and His Father were one. There were united. Jesus said, "I only do what the Father tells Me to do. I only say what the Father tells Me to say." Are you united with Him, dear brother? The Bible says you are. Then how can your identity (not your performance) be anything less than what He IS. Your performance will catch up (become sanctified) as you live out of your new identity with Him. He wants you to live out of a vital, pulsating, life-filled, abundant relationship with Him, not rules. Steve, this is the only place I know where there is rest. There is no rest under the Law. But, "there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God (that's you, brother). For the one who has entered (past tense) His rest has himself also rested from his works (before salvation or after), as God did from His. Therefore let us be deligent to enter that rest..." - Hebrews 4:9-11 You must rest from YOUR works. Let God do the good works through you. He predestined them, He will be faithful to do them. He ALONE will finish the good work He has begun in you. Trust Him, Steve. I pray, dear brother, you will enter HIS rest and there find YOUR OWN. In Christ, Bill Mc BTW, Yes, Jesus did proclaim the New Covenant (remember His blood at the Lord's Supper?) but, you're right, it did not go into effect until He died.) |