Proper 8: Epistle, Romans 7:1-13                                              

Romans 7:1-13 

If you have been around the Bible for any length of time you know that it did not drop out of the sky in a leather binding with chapter and verses marked in just the right spots. Nor were there subheadings pasted every few paragraphs to “help” you keep your mind well directed. And you have probably heard some Bible instructor say that the chapter and verse markings are not always helpful in gaining right interpretations. They are correct. Sometimes they are just a nuisance to a good thought process.

The beginning of our epistle reading today is just such a case. Paul begins Romans chapter seven speaking of the extent of the law’s power over humankind. “Or do you not know, brothers … that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives?” (7:1). Now of course the law has nothing to say when you’re physically dead, and there is that application here. But what the apostle has just finished in chapter six is the real death over which the law no longer presides. It's death by nails. And then drowning. (cf. 6:1-4) The nails (crucifixion) ended the earthly life of our Savior-God. And it’s the water of holy baptism that applies that death to the repentant sinner. And if you don’t pick up on that, then the freedom from the law written about in Romans seven doesn’t have nearly the impact.

The law was never given to save anyone. Because no one has the ability to attain its righteous requirements. No, not one. But the law is sweet to the Christian because he or she knows the law has driven us to the feet of our bleeding and risen Savior. And it also mirrors the loveliness of the character of our God. The end of the law’s condemnation (declared in Romans eight) is a gift. But that gift rides the coattails of the gifts given in the death and resurrection of Jesus. And so the powerful and effective working of our death, burial, and resurrection in our baptism. That’s Roman six language and six comes before seven. Every time. Sometimes we have to go back to go forward. But oh it makes those new steps all the sweeter.