Through the Law

Summary:Paul explains that the Law is not sinful, but rather reveals sin. He uses the example of coveting—he wouldn’t have known it was wrong without the Law. Sin took advantage of the Law to produce all kinds of sinful desires. Though the Law is holy and good, sin uses it to deceive and bring death. Thus, sin is shown to be utterly sinful through its abuse of what is good (the Law). Teaching:By believing in Jesus, we are freed from the Law - freed from sin and death. The Law, sin, and death are all interconnected.The Ten Commandments are the core message that summarizes the entire Law - they are like the constitution of all commandments. Among the laws, they are the most important and serve as the foundation for interpreting all others. Though we are no longer under the Law, that does not mean we are freed from the Ten Commandments. The gospel is the realization and empowerment of the Ten Commandments in our lives. Therefore, through faith, we are justified and attain eternal life. "But sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead." While our body is alive, sin seizes the opportunity to stir up all kinds of desires within us. When God says "do not," our body wants to do it; when He says "do," we feel resistant. This is what is meant by "coveting of every kind." Therefore, the absence of the Law does not mean there is no sin; rather, without the Law, sin cannot exert its power as sin. When the Law comes to us, it provokes more sinful desires through the commandments - it exposes the sinfulness within us. The Law and the commandments are the very expressions of God's holiness, righteousness, and goodness. Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, July 17, 2025Roman 7:7-13(D-43)