FREEDOM FROM LAW

(Romans 7:1-25)
I. Introduction
A. Salvation by Grace through Faith produces FREEDOM FROM SIN
(Romans 6:1-23).
1. Man was the SLAVE of SIN (Romans 6:16-18)
2. But, when he OBEYED FROM THE HEART, he was made
FREE FROM SIN
3. And, he became the SLAVE of RIGHTEOUSNESS
B. The Roman Christians had:
1. DIED to SIN

(Romans 6:1, 2)

2. They had been BURIED in their BAPTISM

(Romans 6:3, 4)

3. They had been RAISED to walk in NEWNESS OF LIFE

C. This NEW LIFE is to be an ON-GOING growth in SANCTIFICATION or
HOLINESS OF LIFE and Eternal Life(Romans 6:22)
D. Salvation IN CHRIST also means FREEDOM FROM LAW. The
Christian is under the PRINCIPLE (Law) of FAITH, NOT under a
PRINCIPLE (Law) of WORKS (Romans 3:21-31). See also
Romans 6:14.
II. The COMPARISON to MARRIAGE

(Romans 7:1-6)

A. A WOMAN is bound to her HUSBAND so long as he lives.

B. If she is JOINED to another while her husband LIVES, she would be called
an ADULTERESS
C. If the HUSBAND DIE, she si FREE TO BE JOINED TO ANOTHER
D. The Christian is COMPARED to the WIFE, and the LAW is compared to
the HUSBAND
1. The Christian is DEAD to the LAW so that he can be joined to
Another
(Romans 7:4)
2. To be JOINED TO CHRIST!

3. Death breaks the marriage bond between husband and wife. The
Christians death with Christ broke the bond which formerly
Yoked him to the LAW!
E. NOTE:

The Christian is:

1. Dead to the LAW

(Romans 7:4)

But, WHAT LAW?

2. Sinful passions were raised by the LAW (Romans 7:5)

But, WHAT LAW?
3. Christians were RELEASED from the LAW
WHAT LAW?

(Romans 7:6). But,

4. Paul would NOT have known SIN except through the LAW
(Romans 7:7). BUT, WHAT LAW is considered here?
5. THE LAW THAT SAID, THOU SHALT NOT COVET
(Romans 7:7). The Old Testament Law that included the TEN
COMMANDMENTS! See also II Corinthians 3:7-18.
6. How does this PASSAGE show us that the SABBATH DAY LAW
Is NOT a part of the NEW COVENANT of Jesus?
III. The Awakening of CONSCIENCE and Recognition of SIN

(Romans 7:7-13)

A. Note: It was through the LAW that SIN BECAME KNOWN to Paul
(Romans 7:7; 3:20).
B. Paul would NOT have known what it means to COVET unless he had
learned the command, Thou SHALT NOT COVET! (Exodus 20:17;
Deuteronomy 5:21).
C. There was a TIME in PAULS LIFE when he WAS ALIVE APART
FROM LAW (Romans 7:9).
1. This can only mean that Paul was ALIVE spiritually when he
WAS A CHILD!
2. Then, the commandment of God entered into his consciousness,
he violated that command and he DIED (Romans 7:9, 10). SIN
SPRANG TO LIFE and Paul DIED!
3. What does this say ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL CONDITION OF A
LITTLE BABY OR CHILD?
D. But, the LAW that brought about his spiritual DEATH when he sinned,
was truly HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, and GOOD! (Romans 7:12).
E. Here, Pauls autobiography is the biography of Everyman (T. W. Manson)

We all have this problem!

IV. The CONFLICT WITHIN MAN

(Romans 7:14-25).

A. The Christian is to become a SLAVE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

(Romans 6:16-23), and the NEW LIFE is a LIFE OF HOLINESS!
B. There is a GREAT STRUGGLE:
1. Because he knows what is good and right, the law of his mind
pulls him toward the WILL of God (Romans 7:22).
2. But, the law of sin and death pulls him toward evil (Romans
7:21). There is a tyranny of indwelling sin within him.
3. The FLESH and the SPIRIT are at WAR!

(Galatians 5:17)

C. BUT, THE GREAT VICTORY IS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

(Romans 7:25).