For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (Romans 7:5-6)
The Bible says we are delivered from the bondage of the law and that we should serve Christ in the newness of the Spirit and not the oldness of the letter.
The Response
In Romans chapter 7, Paul makes the argument that we are only in held in custody of the Law (because we violated it) until we die. When a person dies, the law no longer has jurisdiction over them. In verses 2-3, Paul uses the illustration of a married woman...
Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives? For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man. (Romans 7:1-3)
Using this logic, Paul goes on in verse 4 to state "you [believers] were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ". If I may paraphrase: the Law can no longer hold us in custody because (from the perspective of the Law) the person who violated the Law has died.
Praise the Lord! Because of the work of Christ, we are no longer held in custody for our violation of the Law. Does that mean we should now go out and violate the Law willy nilly, raping, pillaging, and murdering?
Of course not!
Paul handles that exact question in Romans chapter 6.
Shall we go on sinning that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? (Romans 6:1-2)
We have not been delivered from the requirement to obey the Law.
We have been delivered from being in bondage because we have disobeyed the Law.
Scripture says...
Objection overruled.
If you still have questions, check out our definitions and assumptions page. If you still have questions or concerns after reading that, please contact us. We would love the opportunity to understand and respond to those concerns!