From which Law has the believer been freed? To answer the question, consider that there are six different Laws mentioned in Scripture: the Law of God (Romans 7:22, 25b; 8:7); the Law of Sin or Law of Sin and Death (Romans 7:23-25; 8:2); the Law of the Spirit of Life (Romans 8:2); the Law of Faith (Romans 3:27); the Law of Righteousness (Romans 9:31-32); and the Law of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:21).
Consider two key phrases in Romans 6:14. The first phrase is, “sin shall not be master over you.” Master (kurieúō) means to be ruled by something. Another word for rule is law. Thus, believers were formerly ruled by sin. The second phrase is, “you are not under law.” Under (hupó) refers to being under the control of something. In Romans 3:9b, all people are controlled by sin. Since believers are no longer controlled by sin, they are no longer ruled by the Law of Sin.
If the believer is no longer under the Law of God, then God’s Law would be equated to the Law of Sin. There are three significant problems with equating God’s Law with the Law of Sin. One, the Law of God defines sin.
Two, breaking the Law of God is sin and sin is lawlessness.
Three, the Law of God wars against the Law of Sin.
It is not the Law of God that believers are no longer under, but the Law of Sin and Death. When an individual comes to repentance and faith, the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ (i.e., grace) sets that person free from the bondage of sin and death.
- For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. - Romans 6:14
Consider two key phrases in Romans 6:14. The first phrase is, “sin shall not be master over you.” Master (kurieúō) means to be ruled by something. Another word for rule is law. Thus, believers were formerly ruled by sin. The second phrase is, “you are not under law.” Under (hupó) refers to being under the control of something. In Romans 3:9b, all people are controlled by sin. Since believers are no longer controlled by sin, they are no longer ruled by the Law of Sin.
If the believer is no longer under the Law of God, then God’s Law would be equated to the Law of Sin. There are three significant problems with equating God’s Law with the Law of Sin. One, the Law of God defines sin.
- for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. - Romans 3:20
Two, breaking the Law of God is sin and sin is lawlessness.
- Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness (anomía): for sin is lawlessness (anomía). - 1 John 3:4
Three, the Law of God wars against the Law of Sin.
- For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. - Romans 7:22-23
It is not the Law of God that believers are no longer under, but the Law of Sin and Death. When an individual comes to repentance and faith, the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ (i.e., grace) sets that person free from the bondage of sin and death.
- For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. - Romans 8:2
RSS Feed