Romans 6:14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
So it has been a long time since I've sat down to write! We went on vacation for a week and getting back into a groove can take a while. But now it's back to business!
Today I'd like to address the phrase "under the law" from Romans 6. When my husband and I tell someone about something we do or don't do in our house in our wanting to obey the Mosaic laws, very often we hear the argument that we are no longer under the law, but under grace, and should not put ourselves under the law by obeying it. Certainly when Paul said were are "not under the law" he meant that we should not put ourselves under these rules by observing them, right? I don't believe so. Considering all the statements of Paul as well as the other disciples and even Christ himself that we have discussed in earlier posts, we must look at an alternative view of Paul's statement here in Romans 6 or we make him out to be a schizophrenic. So let's examine the issue.
Today I'd like to address the phrase "under the law" from Romans 6. When my husband and I tell someone about something we do or don't do in our house in our wanting to obey the Mosaic laws, very often we hear the argument that we are no longer under the law, but under grace, and should not put ourselves under the law by obeying it. Certainly when Paul said were are "not under the law" he meant that we should not put ourselves under these rules by observing them, right? I don't believe so. Considering all the statements of Paul as well as the other disciples and even Christ himself that we have discussed in earlier posts, we must look at an alternative view of Paul's statement here in Romans 6 or we make him out to be a schizophrenic. So let's examine the issue.
I'd like to propose a new way to understand this verse. Consider for a moment our civic laws. Now many would consider that just the mere existence of law and that we must observe it means we are under it, and of course that would be true. But what if that is not how Paul is defining "under the law"? That could change a lot, and I propose that a change in our thinking of this term "under the law" will make this verse and many others like it become more clear and inline with other scriptures we have previously examined.
Let's say that you are caught stealing and are placed under arrest. You are now being legally held under the law that says you cannot steal. The law's existence is neutral, but it acts with force upon you who broke it—imposing a penalty. It is those who are under a penalty for breaking law that are considered under it in this sense. Someone who has never stolen anything is not under the penalty of the law for stealing because they are innocent. It is the guilty who are under that law.
Let's look at Romans 6:14 again. "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." The typical interpretation of this verse generally sounds like this:
"You are not under God's Old Testament law, for it was done away with and is no longer relevant, because now you are under grace instead. Grace replaces the law."
But think that through for a minute. The part of the verse that is often overlooked is "sin shall no longer be your master, BECAUSE...". Because what? Because you are not under the law. So was sin the master over all the obedient in the Old Testament because they obeyed the law God gave them? Does that make any sense? God tells you to do something, you obey and because of your obedience and observance of God's orders you become a slave to sin? NO WAY! THIS ABSOLUTELY MAKES NO SENSE!
But what if we look at this verse the other way? What if sin is the master of those who are being held under the penalty of the law? Could it be that sin had become the master of those who were being held in contempt for disrespecting the law and breaking it's regulations? And as we know that is everyone, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." -Romans 3:23 of course do not forget that 1 John 3:4 defines sin as transgression of the law. AH! Now that makes more sense. It is the sinners, the law breakers who were mastered by sin.
So where does the last part of this verse come in—what about grace? Well let's think back to the previous analogy of the thief. You've been caught and put in jail for breaking the law. The law is holding you captive. But then, Jesus—his Hebrew name Yeshua, which means salvation—comes to the police station where you are held and posts bail. He comes and pays the price and now the law will not hold you captive. You are released until your judgement day. THAT is His grace—his unmerited favor—that he gives to each one of us. And just as we were held captive by our breaking of His laws, now we are to be held captivated by His grace.
Let me speak from my own experience for a minute. As I began reading the scriptures that I have been sharing with you on my blog with new eyes and a new mindset, I really struggled with whether the law was relevant or not. But the more I studied the more I knew it must be true. Since I have learned their relevance, I have been slowly but surely applying more and more of the Laws of God given to Moses, in my life, because I love God and long to please Him. And do you know what has happened to me? The more I learn and the more I obey, the more and more I become captivated!
I challenge you to please not read these posts and allow it to make you feel cornered. If I could argue you into observing the law it would be futile and even detrimental to your walk with the LORD. It is not good to have a checklist that makes you feel like you have done your duty and earned a position with God. We cannot please him by duty, we please him by our willingness to obey fueled by our love. Be captivated! Ask the Father to send His Spirit to stir you, and also ask Him to confirm or deny if what I am saying is the truth. I am human and don't know everything, so please do not trust me or anyone else on these things, be responsible for your own faith—study the scriptures for yourself and ask that the Spirit guide you into all truth. And please pray the same for me, especially if you believe I am in error, it is not about being right in the here and now, it's about being right before Him, that's all I want. Thanks for reading!
Let's say that you are caught stealing and are placed under arrest. You are now being legally held under the law that says you cannot steal. The law's existence is neutral, but it acts with force upon you who broke it—imposing a penalty. It is those who are under a penalty for breaking law that are considered under it in this sense. Someone who has never stolen anything is not under the penalty of the law for stealing because they are innocent. It is the guilty who are under that law.
Let's look at Romans 6:14 again. "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." The typical interpretation of this verse generally sounds like this:
"You are not under God's Old Testament law, for it was done away with and is no longer relevant, because now you are under grace instead. Grace replaces the law."
But think that through for a minute. The part of the verse that is often overlooked is "sin shall no longer be your master, BECAUSE...". Because what? Because you are not under the law. So was sin the master over all the obedient in the Old Testament because they obeyed the law God gave them? Does that make any sense? God tells you to do something, you obey and because of your obedience and observance of God's orders you become a slave to sin? NO WAY! THIS ABSOLUTELY MAKES NO SENSE!
But what if we look at this verse the other way? What if sin is the master of those who are being held under the penalty of the law? Could it be that sin had become the master of those who were being held in contempt for disrespecting the law and breaking it's regulations? And as we know that is everyone, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." -Romans 3:23 of course do not forget that 1 John 3:4 defines sin as transgression of the law. AH! Now that makes more sense. It is the sinners, the law breakers who were mastered by sin.
So where does the last part of this verse come in—what about grace? Well let's think back to the previous analogy of the thief. You've been caught and put in jail for breaking the law. The law is holding you captive. But then, Jesus—his Hebrew name Yeshua, which means salvation—comes to the police station where you are held and posts bail. He comes and pays the price and now the law will not hold you captive. You are released until your judgement day. THAT is His grace—his unmerited favor—that he gives to each one of us. And just as we were held captive by our breaking of His laws, now we are to be held captivated by His grace.
Let me speak from my own experience for a minute. As I began reading the scriptures that I have been sharing with you on my blog with new eyes and a new mindset, I really struggled with whether the law was relevant or not. But the more I studied the more I knew it must be true. Since I have learned their relevance, I have been slowly but surely applying more and more of the Laws of God given to Moses, in my life, because I love God and long to please Him. And do you know what has happened to me? The more I learn and the more I obey, the more and more I become captivated!
I challenge you to please not read these posts and allow it to make you feel cornered. If I could argue you into observing the law it would be futile and even detrimental to your walk with the LORD. It is not good to have a checklist that makes you feel like you have done your duty and earned a position with God. We cannot please him by duty, we please him by our willingness to obey fueled by our love. Be captivated! Ask the Father to send His Spirit to stir you, and also ask Him to confirm or deny if what I am saying is the truth. I am human and don't know everything, so please do not trust me or anyone else on these things, be responsible for your own faith—study the scriptures for yourself and ask that the Spirit guide you into all truth. And please pray the same for me, especially if you believe I am in error, it is not about being right in the here and now, it's about being right before Him, that's all I want. Thanks for reading!
When he—the Spirit of truth—comes, he will guide you into all truth... John 16:13