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Romans 7:7-12

The law’s freedom

No wild animal wants to be fenced. Freedom is vital. Often our view of God is that he reminds us of a fence, that he wants to stop us from enjoying true freedom. So it should not surprise us that sometimes we turn away from God and indulge in what we really desire.

Greed

I have to some degree a fear of falling to my death. So I am careful about walking up to the edge of a cliff and peering over the edge. However, if there is a fence I’ll happily walk right up to the edge without any fear at all. The fence will keep me from falling, it is keeping me safe. I can enjoy the view without the fear.

I’ve learnt to value certain fences. The trick is learning to value the freedom the law gives me. I’ve found that when I indulge myself in sin I only get hungry for more. And it is really hard to say ‘no’ when I get the urge again. It is like travelling at 100km for a while and then slowing down to 60km. It feels like your moving backwards and it is hard to stick to the limit.

God tells me to love my wife, to be faithful to her, not to lust after other women, whether in my mind, online, or in real life. The world hurls images of women at me all the time, seeking to entice my heart to desire someone else. God’s law gives me the freedom to say no to this temptation and yes to actively loving my wife. God’s law helps me learn to be content with whom God has given me, to think in terms of being loving more than being loved.

Jesus said “he who sins is a slave of sin.” Despite Sin’s promise of freedom it in reality will enslave you and kill you. Many family has been broken because of unfaithfulness, whether sexually, because of work, because of gambling, because of alcohol/drugs, because of worry, because of discontent. The law will keep you safe and will set you free from the slavery of sin. the Rev

Romans 7:7-12 Don’t reject God’s law

Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 11

Exercises

• Share and explore how Scripture has uncovered a heart issue for you v7.

• Discuss and give examples of sin using law to produce all manner of evil desire v8-9.

• Explore in what way sin using the law deceives and kills us v10-11 

• Discuss how the law is Holy, good and just for you v12.

Prayer: Heavenly Father forgive my blindness to the value of your law, that so often I’ve seen it as robbing me of pleasure instead of protecting and blessing me. Enable me to use your law to see my heart with clarity so that I can be transformed by the renewing of my mind. May you use me to be as Christ to my family, friends and community.  Amen