Romans 7:13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.
Since the law is not the problem, there is something else. Paul identifies that problem as sin. Sin is rebellion against God causes by pride, rebellion, and misguided self preservation. It becomes evidenced through rejecting and disobeying God’s commandments. The result is death because we cut ourselves off from the source of life. The law shows the problem of this rebellion by providing sin the opportunity for us to exert our will against God’s will. Without the law, we would not know we had a problem. Thus, the law has two roles. First, it reveals God’s will for us for how to live out our relationship in holiness. Second, it shows our problem by giving our deep sinful condition an opportunity to reveal itself. The law diagnosis the illness. It cannot treat this illness, as Paul will show in this chapter. Healing comes only through God’s grace in Jesus Christ.
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