Romans 07:01-06 Fruits of the Repented
Introduction:
The book of Romans is the longest, most structured, and most detailed descriptive theology of Paul. The core of the gospel message is salvation by grace alone through faith alone. In this chapter, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. Paul expresses fruits of the repented such as Fruits for death and fruits of the new way.
Romans 7:1-3 Husband and Wife are equal to old nature and Law
The illustration from the wedded life reminds the readers of the significance of marriage in Christian life. He also emphasizes the importance of living in Christ. Paul uses the illustration of the law of marriage. A woman whose husband has died is no longer obligated to remain faithful to him. She is free to marry another man. The law pertaining to a Husband and Wife. How both are bounded, obligated, and accountable to one another as long as they live on the earth. The relationship is permanent and mandatory through the legalized system. This legally requires to bear fruits of death. The unbelievers are sold unto sin and bear the fruit of death.
Believers in Christ are like the woman in Romans 7: 2-3, the death has severed the believer from the authority of Law and enables him to join Jesus Christ. The believer is transferred from the old Dominion to the new authority in Christ. The law was given to Israelites but the Gentiles are bound by the moral law. Christ redeems from the bondage of all kinds of laws. Paul makes the point that death ends all obligations and contracts in marriage. This analogical reasoning leads to further understanding of our stand in Christ.
Romans 7:4-6 Freed Wife is equal to Freed Believer
Paul remembers and attests to the prevailing teaching of the Rabbis: “if a person is dead, he is free from the Torah and the fulfilling of the commandments.” In a similar way, our death with Christ freed us from our obligation to the law and allows us to serve God in what Paul calls the new way of the Spirit (Romans 7:4–6). The clarity here is that death frees one from the law and enables one to enter into a new relationship. The body of Christ on the cross is the instrument through which the believer dies to the law (Ephesians 2:13-15, Colossians 1:22; 2:14). Bear fruit to God means to live a life of righteousness and obedience. New life in Christ represents a place of right standing before God. The law does not justify us, not make us right with God. The law does not sanctify us, not take us deeper with God, and not make us more holy before Him (Enduring Word).
Believers are united to Christ, that they may bring forth fruit unto God. Matthew Henry, the Commentator, says that we are under a covenant of grace, and not under a covenant of works; under the gospel of Christ, not under the law of Moses. The difference is spoken of under the similitude or figure of being married to a new husband. The second marriage is to Christ.
Discussion:
1. What are the Law points hinder the growth of believers in Christ?
2. How do you respond to the new life requirements?
(For further studies in Romans, kindly refer to this cite)
