Romans 7:6 But now, by dying to what once 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.
The key is to die to the law. First, we must recognize that the law is what binds us. Paul is especially talking to the Jews, but Gentiles also fit into this in their efforts to find eternal life. The Jews become trapped by the law of legalism because of their pride. They set themselves up as righteous by thinking that obedience to certain laws, such as circumcision or various rituals, is enough to make them righteous. But as Paul has shown in chs. 2-3, not even the Jews who have God’s revealed law obey enough to be considered righteous. Everyone needs God’s grace in Christ. Gentiles too are bound by the law. Often, this is a law of their own making. They think that by being “good” or doing certain rituals, they can find peace and immortality. Sadly, they end up in the same situation as the Jews. Everyone becomes bound by some law, either God’s revealed laws, God’s natural laws written on the conscience, or human laws created in an effort to find spiritual enlightenment and immortality.
Paul shows that there is a way to find release from all of this. It comes by “dying” to the law. One must reject human effort and rest in God’s grace. This comes about by laying oneself before God on the altar of commitment, putting oneself on the cross in identifying with Christ, and becoming filled and guided by the Holy Spirit. This is a “new way” of freedom. The law is transformed from a trap and burden into a guide for holy and righteous living. It is no longer the trap but the release and open door to new life.
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