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NASB | Romans 7:6 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. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 7:6 But now we have been released from the Law and its penalty, having died [through Christ] to that by which we were held captive, so that we serve [God] in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter [of the Law]. |
Subject: Are we free from the Law? |
Bible Note: Jesus was talking to Jews who were still under the law... Thus, he rightly said that they should have done all the things in the law. I used that scripture just to show that some of the laws have greater importance to God than others. All of the laws still applied to the Jews that Jesus was speaking to. Now, when it comes to a current day believer being under the law - I think scripture is perfectly clear that we are not. I would go a little further and say that a gentile especially would be exempt from the law. Look at this scripture: Rom 2:14-15 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) This is akin to how the Holy Spirit fulfills the law in us. He writes the law in our heart. Notice verse 15 in the above scripture, it says "Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness," The work of the law is what? Well, scripture tells us the work that the law was created for... Rom 3:19-20 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. So verse 19 - the law holds the whole world accountable to God. verse 20 - through the law, we become conscious of sin. This is the work that the law does. Now, the Holy Spirit living within us writes this INTENT of the law - this WORK of the law is written on our hearts. The Holy Spirit fulfills the law by not only making us accountable to God and conscious of sin - but the Holy Spirit makes us children of God who have His Spirit living within us. This makes us more than conquerers. Look at 2 Cor 3:2-3 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (KJV) Notice that the law within a believer is now within the heart - there is no need to have it written on tables of stone (the ten commandments) - because God himself lives inside a TRUE believer.... There is a problem with people justifying sinful activity while claiming to be a Christian, but if there is only one and the same Holy Spirit living inside each of us - then we should all be able to agree on what is regarded as sinful behavior. The problem is that there are a lot of people who think they're God's children when in fact, they are just seriously deceived. Matt 7:22-23 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV) Notice- Jesus said MANY will come to him thinking they lived a righteous Christian life. This is why scripture tells us that every man ought to examine himself... |