How does Romans 7:4 connect with Galatians 2:19-20 about living for God? Laying the Foundation: Romans 7:4 in Focus “So, my brothers, you also died to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to Another — to Him who was raised from the dead — that we might bear fruit to God.” Key truths • We literally died to the Law in Christ’s body. • The purpose: belong to the risen Christ. • Result: bear fruit for God. A Shared Truth: Romans 7:4 Meets Galatians 2:19-20 “For through the Law I died to the Law so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Parallels 1. Death to the Law — Romans “died to the Law”; Galatians “died to the Law.” 2. Union with Christ’s death — “through the body of Christ” / “crucified with Christ.” 3. Purpose — Romans “bear fruit to God”; Galatians “live to God.” 4. Resurrection life — Romans “Him who was raised”; Galatians “Christ lives in me.” The Marriage Analogy: Freed to Belong to Another • The Law’s claim ends when death occurs (Romans 7:1-3). • Christ’s cross counts as our death, releasing us. • We are free to “belong to Another,” entering covenant union with the risen Lord (1 Corinthians 6:17). Union with Christ: Death and Resurrection Applied • Romans 6:4 — buried and raised with Him to walk in newness of life. • Colossians 3:3-4 — you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. • 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 — those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him. God counts Christ’s death as ours and works it out by the Spirit. Living for God: What Bearing Fruit Looks Like • Internal character: love, joy, peace… (Galatians 5:22-23). • Obedience flowing from love (John 14:15). • Good works prepared beforehand (Ephesians 2:10). • Disciple-making witness (John 15:5, 8). • Righteous conduct that glorifies God (Philippians 1:11). Faith over Self-Effort Galatians 2:20 centers on faith, not self-generated rule-keeping. • We trust the Christ who lives in us. • The Spirit fulfills the righteous requirement of the Law in us (Romans 8:2-4). • Obedience becomes overflow, not the ground of acceptance. Putting It Together 1. Christ’s crucifixion is our once-for-all death to the Law. 2. His resurrection brings us into a new covenant relationship. 3. This union releases divine life, enabling fruitfulness. 4. The believer’s posture is continual faith, resting in His indwelling power. Practical Takeaways • Remember your status: dead to the Law, alive to God. • Relate to Christ as living Husband, not merely to regulations. • Rely on His indwelling life; confess dependence daily. • Expect visible fruit — Scripture guarantees it. • Keep your gaze on “the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me”; love fuels obedient, fruitful living. |
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