How can we avoid the "old way of the written code" today? The Heart of Romans 7:6 “But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the Law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” What Was “the Old Way of the Written Code”? • The Mosaic Law written on tablets—good, holy, yet powerless to give life (Romans 7:12; Galatians 3:21). • A system that demanded perfect obedience but could not supply the power to obey (Acts 15:10). • A guardian pointing to Christ (Galatians 3:24) but never intended as the final means of righteousness. Why This Still Matters • Rules without relationship breed distance from God. • Legalism exchanges vibrant faith for checklist living (Colossians 2:20-23). • Self-reliance subtly competes with the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work (Galatians 2:21). Living in the New Way of the Spirit • New birth unites us to Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:4-11). • The Spirit indwells, energizes, and writes God’s law on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 3:3). • Freedom becomes the context for loving obedience, not an excuse for sin (Galatians 5:13). Practical Steps to Avoid the Old Way Today 1. Relish Your Union with Christ – Remind yourself daily: “I died to the Law through the body of Christ” (Romans 7:4). – Celebrate communion, baptism remembrance, and worship that center on His finished work. 2. Walk by the Spirit, Not by Self-Effort – Begin each day consciously yielding to the Spirit’s lead (Romans 8:5-6). – Look for His convicting, guiding, empowering presence in real-time decisions. 3. Feed on Grace-Saturated Truth – Meditate on passages like Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 10:14. – Replace condemning thoughts with the assurance that “there is now no condemnation” (Romans 8:1). 4. Serve Out of Love, Not Obligation – Ask, “How can Christ love others through me?” rather than “What boxes must I tick?” (2 Corinthians 5:14). – View good works as fruit, not currency (Ephesians 2:10). 5. Stay in Gospel-Centered Community – Invite brothers and sisters to spot creeping legalism (Hebrews 3:13). – Share testimonies of grace, keeping Christ—not rule-keeping—at the center. Scriptures That Reinforce the New Way • 2 Corinthians 3:6 – “For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” • Galatians 5:18 – “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.” • Hebrews 10:19-22 – Confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus. • Romans 8:2 – “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Putting It All Together We avoid the old way of the written code by anchoring our identity in Christ’s death and resurrection, staying dependent on the Holy Spirit, and cultivating rhythms that keep grace in the driver’s seat. The same God who fulfilled the Law in Christ now fulfills His righteous requirements in us “who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:4). |
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