Lesson 4731

(Lesson 4731) (01-17-25) Romans 7:7-11 

   “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.” 

 

  In today’s quote, Paul explained that the law did not create sin, the law only made him aware of sin. He used the commandment "You shall not covet" to illustrate how the sin of covetousness was already present in him but was exposed by the restrictions of the law, causing him to covet even more. Paul acknowledged that without the law, sin could not be recognized. However, when the law came, it revealed his own sin, and he experienced spiritual death because of it. The commandments that brought recognition of his sins brought about his spiritual death. Paul emphasized that the law itself is holy, just, and good, but through the law, the sinful nature of mankind was exposed bringing about the necessity of overcoming all sin with the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ through faith in Him and belief in His life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension. ~