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SUBJECT: Romans 7:4-6
QUESTION: Please explain these verses as they pertain to
the Law. Is the Law being done away here?
ANSWER:
Romans 7:4-6
4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law
by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another,
even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should
bring forth fruit unto God.
5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which
were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth
fruit unto death.
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead
wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of
spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Notice carefully what Paul said: "You ... have become dead"
(Revised Authorized Version).
He did not say, "The law is dead." The law of God did not
perish. But, the people became dead to the law by the body
of Christ.
Verse 5 helps explain: "For when we were in the flesh [before
we were converted, and while we were living according to the
pulls of the flesh], the motions of sins, which
were (revealed for what they
were) by the law, did work in our members to
bring forth fruit unto death." Thus, when we were yet
sinners, we were worthy of death in God's sight, having
transgressed His holy law.
"But now," Paul writes further, "we have been delivered from
the (certain death penalty
of the) law, having died to what we were held by,
so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not
in the oldness of the letter" (verse 6, RAV).
Christ paid the death penalty in our stead. The law of God
no longer claims our lives.
While sinners, we were worthy of execution. But, now, Paul
says that we are dead to the law -- that is, the penalty of
death has been paid by Jesus Christ. So far as the law is
concerned, the penalty is paid -- we are dead, in Christ --
and there is no further "date with death" for us, if we
continue to live in Christ.
This verse in no way says that the law is done away. It
merely shows that Christ paid the penalty of the law for us.
He died for us. We are dead with Him (Romans
6:3-4). No longer does condemnation await us (Romans
8:1), because we are also made spiritually alive with
Him through His resurrection (Romans
6:4-5, 11).
Our booklet THE TEN COMMANDMENTS shows that
God's law is still in force today. If you would like to
receive this important information, please feel welcome to
request it.
http://www.garnertedarmstrong.org/10comman.htm
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