SCRIPTURE REFERENCES » Romans 7

Nov 12
26

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #40 & 41

Doctrinal Standard #40 & 41 (2 of 4 weeks)

  • Q. What rules did God first reveal for man to obey?
  • A. The rules He first revealed were the moral law.
  • Q. Where is the moral law summarized?
  • A. The moral law is summarized in the Ten Commandments.

Memory Verses

  • “So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Romans 7:7-13
  • Support Passages: Romans 2:14-15, Acts 24:24-25, Matthew 14:1-10, I Timothy 1:9-10, Galatians 3:24, Romans 1:20, Galatians 3:10
  • Bible Story: Acts 24

Thoughts

  • There is a common misunderstanding in regards to the law of God and it often shows itself through the teaching of antinomianism theology. While this term could be rather broad it often refers to those who reject the notation that Christians are commanded to keep the moral law. This is not to say that they support unethical living but rather they believe that scripture teaches that the law has served its purpose and is finished and now you live solely by the Spirit. I believe that this heretical teaching is a result of not fully understanding Paul’s teaching on the law. There are many times when Paul seems to speak harshly about the law not because the law is bad or unholy but because of what it does to man. For example, Romans 7:8 says “but sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness.” Romans 7:11, “for sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.” But Paul also speaks very highly of the law in Romans 7:12-13, “so the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.” Paul makes it rather clear that the laws of God are good, holy, and righteous. God’s law does not cause the sin in man but rather point out the sin that is already within their hearts.
  • If God’s commands are holy, righteous, and good and man is inherently sinful and evil then what needs to change, man or God’s law? The obvious answer is man. Instead of expecting a holy, righteous, and unchangeable God to change is character and in doing so changing is moral laws he sent his son to do earth to do what no man could ever do, live a perfect obedient life to the law and die a perfect sacrifice for the sins of those who believe. God’s law and expectations have not changed but rather through his mercy and love provided a way for man to be accepted before him.
  • As the memory verse teaches us it is through our faith in Jesus’ perfect life and death that makes a sinner are justified. Salvation is apart from keeping any commands. But we must be careful not error in thinking that the commands play no part in the life of a believer. God’s commands teach us what is good and acceptable and how we should live. His law is what the Holy Spirit uses in the life of a believer sanctifying them, making them more and more like Jesus.

Discussion Questions

  • Describe God’s character?
  • How closely tied is God’s character to his laws?
  • Read through Romans 7:7-13. What does God’s law reveal in an individual?
  • Does God’s law cause people to sin? Explain
  • God’s law points people to whom? Explain
  • How does Paul describe God’s law in the passage of scripture?
  • If God’s law is good and people are sinful what needs to change?
  • How does God make people acceptable before himself and his law?
  • If Jesus lived a perfect life for us what use does the law have for Christians?
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Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Catechism, Law and Gospel, Moral Law, Ten Commandments, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Acts 24, Galatians 3, Romans 7, Posted by Phil. No Comments

Sep 12
17

Catechism Insight – Doctrinal Standard WSC #35

Doctrinal Standard #35

  • Q. What is sanctification?
  • A. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace by which our whole person is made new in the image of God, and we are made more and more able to become dead to sin and alive to righteousness.

Memory Verses

  • “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1–2, ESV).

Scripture

  • Study Passage: Romans 7-8
  • Support Passages: I Thessalonians 5:23, II Thessalonians 2:13, Romans 6, I Corinthians 6, Philippians 3:1-16, Romans 12:1-2, I Peter 1:13-21
  • Bible Story: Genesis 12-25:11

Thoughts

  • “Sanctification is the continuing work of God in the life of the believer, making him or her actually holy. By ‘holy’ here is meant ‘bearing an actual likeness to God.’ Sanctification is a process by which one’s moral condition is brought into conformity with one’s legal status before God. It is a continuation of what was begun in regeneration, when a newness of life was conferred upon and instilled within the believer. In particular, sanctification is the Holy Spirit’s applying to the life of the believer the work done by Jesus Christ” (pg. 980). [1]
  • While justification and sanctification are connected it is important to understand the distinction between the two. Justification is what saves an individual from their sins and allows them to be accepted before God. This is made possible through the righteous life and death of Jesus Christ (see lesson #48-49). Justification is applied to an individual through faith and by faith alone. While sanctification does not save an individual sanctification is the response to the justification in the life of a believer. Sanctification is the “progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and more like Christ in our actual lives” (pg. 1259).
  • Romans chapter seven and eight is an interesting passage of scripture that explains the connection between God’s Law, justification, and sanctification. In chapter seven, Paul explains that God’s Law is good and it is the measure by which man must perfectly live by in order to be accepted by God. Paul goes on to explain that it is impossible for man to live up to this expectation. In fact, the more Paul understands the Law, the more he realizes how much sin is in his life. Paul teaches that’s it’s the imputed righteousness and forgiveness in Christ blood that takes the place of man’s efforts to keep the Law and be accepted before God (justification). Does this mean that the Law is done away with? Paul says no! While there is no way man can keep the Law to be accepted before God, with the Spirits help we are called to live pure and holy lives which the Law points towards (sanctification).

Discussion Questions

  • Explain in your own words sanctification.
  • How does sanctification differ from justification?
  • What is the measure of sanctification?
  • Is sanctification an option for believers? Explain
  • How does God play a part of sanctification?
  • Does the sanctification process ever stop for a believer?

[1] Erickson, Millard J. (1998). Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA; Baker Books.

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Posted in Study Guides, Millard Erickson, Sanctification, Systematic Theology, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Family Devotional Guidelines, Phil Anady, Genesis 12, Romans 12, Romans 7, Romans 8, Posted by Phil. No Comments


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