Sabbath, July 5 – Romans 6, 7
1. Do you wish for God to transform your heart?
2. Would you like to love His law and joyfully obey it?
3. Are you open to nurturing the new life the Spirit has planted within you?
In Romans 6 and 7, Paul presents two essential pillars of the plan of salvation: victory over sin (ch. 6) and freedom in Christ from the condemnation of the law (ch. 7). To those who accused him of promoting sin through his emphasis on grace, Paul responds firmly:
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid” (Romans 6:1–2).
Paul argues that grace not only forgives but also transforms. The believer has died to sin and, therefore, cannot continue to live under its dominion. This change is symbolized in baptism: the believer is buried with Christ and rises to a new life.
Grace does not stop at justification; it leads toward sanctification. Ellen White states:
“When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience… through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.” (DA 668)
Sin cannot reign over believers because they are no longer under the law but under grace. Paul emphasizes that one cannot serve two masters: one is either a servant of sin or a slave of righteousness. The fruit of this new servitude is a radical internal change; what was once loved is now hated, and vice versa. The proud become humble, the unchaste become pure… all because of the work of the Holy Spirit.
In chapter 7, Paul clarifies that believers are no longer under the law as a means of justification. The law wasn’t given to save but to reveal our need for a Savior. Its ongoing role is to show us the standard of righteousness, convict us of sin, and point us to the need of a Savior. Life united with Christ produces fruit for God; the previous life under sin resulted in fruit for death.
Paul chooses the Tenth Commandment as an example because it reveals the root of all sin: selfish desire. Upon encountering the law, he realizes that sin isn’t just external behavior; it’s an internal heart issue.
Here is the edited version for clarity, flow, and precision, without altering the meaning:
Therefore, although the law is good, sin dwelling in human nature misuses it as a means of condemnation. The enduring role of the law is to reveal the standard of righteousness, convict the heart of sin, and point to the need for a Savior.
Without the law’s conviction, the gospel loses its power, because only the sinner confronted with sin will repent and place faith in Christ. To suggest that the gospel nullifies the law is to undermine salvation’s very foundation and purpose.
Paul acknowledges the believer’s ongoing struggle:
“Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24, 25).
Here is the edited version with improved clarity and flow:
Deliverance from sin and death does not come through human effort, but through union with Jesus. Complete victory can be attained only through Him.
This climax captures the core truth of Romans: we are not saved by law-keeping or effort, but by total, continual surrender to Christ. Paul doesn’t diminish the law; he honors it by showing its purpose: to guide us to Jesus. The gospel doesn’t abolish the law; rather, it fulfills it by giving us Christ’s power to obey.
A victorious life isn’t achieved through self-reliance, but through daily surrender to the Lord. Pray continually, and serve others, for serving is the true path to grow in grace.
May God bless and prosper you always.