Law: Matters of Life & Death

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 7, 2023

Law: Matters of Life and Death – Romans 7:1-13

The Law reveals what we are not, what we lack, where the problem is, how broken we are; it reveals our false self. It is not capable of making us better, much less of revealing our true self.

 

Law is Not Life-giving (v1-3)

• Paul did not write this to create marriage and divorce law.
• He’s simply using an every day “example” that his listeners can readily understand in order to reinforce the larger point.

 

Christ’s Death is My Death (v4)

• Romans & Galatians: similar themes
• Galatians 2:19:21

 

Live a Life-Giving Life (v4-6)

• What is the fruit of your life?
• Galatians 5:22-25

 

The Law is a Diagnostic Tool for the Spirit (v7-12)

• In the spiritual sense, the Law is like a doctor who can give an accurate diagnosis, but is incapable of bringing you any healing. (or the car test, the computer test, the water test, etc.)

It's Worse than You Think (v13)

Romans 7:13 - Phillips Translation:

It can scarcely be doubted that in reality the Law itself is holy, and the commandment is holy, fair and good. Can it be that something that is intrinsically good could mean death to me? No, what happened was this. Sin, at the touch of the Law, was forced to express itself as sin, and that meant death for me. The contact of the Law showed the sinful nature of sin.