What role does Jesus play in overcoming the "law of sin" mentioned here? The Law of Sin Described • Romans 7 repeatedly contrasts two laws: “the law of God” and “the law of sin.” • The law of sin is the inner impulse that drags fallen humanity toward disobedience and death (Romans 7:23). • It exercises real power; left unchecked, it enslaves every aspect of life (John 8:34). Immediate Light from Romans 7:25 “Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.” • Paul erupts in gratitude because Jesus personally intervenes. • Deliverance is not self-generated effort but a gift “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” • The believer still feels the tug of sin in the flesh, yet Christ’s victory changes the final outcome (Romans 8:1). How Jesus Breaks Sin’s Dominion 1. Fulfills the law’s righteous requirement • “For what the law could not do … God did by sending His own Son … so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us.” (Romans 8:3-4) • Jesus lives perfect obedience; His record is credited to believers (Philippians 3:9). 2. Bears the penalty the law demands • “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree.” (1 Peter 2:24) • The curse the law pronounces falls on Him, freeing us from condemnation (Galatians 3:13). 3. Releases from slavery to sin • “Our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless.” (Romans 6:6) • Through union with Christ’s death and resurrection, sin’s authority is legally broken. New Identity: Alive to God • “Consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11) • The believer’s core identity shifts: no longer servant of sin, now servant of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18). • This identity is maintained by setting the mind on the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5). Indwelling Spirit: Power for Daily Victory • Christ sends the Holy Spirit to apply His triumph (John 14:16-17). • “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2) • The Spirit empowers new desires, enables obedience, and produces fruit that counters works of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-25). Ongoing Dependence on Christ • Victory is experienced moment by moment by “walking in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25) and “abiding” in Christ (John 15:5). • Spiritual disciplines—Word intake, fellowship, confession—keep the heart aligned with Christ’s liberating rule. Future Completion: Final Freedom from Sin • Jesus not only frees from sin’s penalty and power now; He will erase its presence. • “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4) • Glorification seals the believer in perfect righteousness, forever beyond the reach of the law of sin. Summary Jesus fulfills the law, absorbs its penalty, unshackles the believer from sin’s domination, grants a new Spirit-empowered identity, sustains daily victory, and promises ultimate liberation. Through Him alone the cry “Who will rescue me?” (Romans 7:24) turns to confident praise: “Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” |
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