Law and Sin

In Deuteronomy 32, as Moses is giving Israel his last words of instruction, he discusses the laws God gave them with such reverence. Referencing the laws Moses says this in Deuteronomy 32:47, “They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Moses talks about the laws as living words that are to be followed, and if they are followed they bring life and prosperity. In Leviticus 15, God says the purity laws are given so they will not die. 

Given this context, Paul discusses the law and its effects in Romans 7. In verse 10 he says, “I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.” What is Paul referring to here? Is the law actually bad? Does that mean Moses and God were hiding something? Let’s dig in. 

In Romans 7, Paul starts by talking about no longer being bound to law. This is because we now serve by the Spirit God gives us and not by the laws. This doesn’t mean the laws are bad, but just means since Jesus came, we now live under his reign instead of having to follow the requirements of the law. Paul then asks the question in verse 7, “Is the law sinful?” The immediate answer is absolutely not. The law actually brings to light what sin is and is the knowledge by which we discern good and evil. 

But it is this power of sin that does the harming. Paul discusses sin as a power that comes in and deceives people and causes us to do what is contrary to the law. In other words, sin causes death. This then leads to Paul’s statement we are questioning about the commands leading to death. The law doesn’t directly cause evil and death but since it exists, the power of sin takes over in our lives. The law, as Paul explains, is holy and good. The law, just by existing, opens an opportunity to do the exact opposite of what it says, which is sin. 

The answer to this problem of sin is, of course, Jesus. In the next chapter, Paul explains that Jesus sets us free from sin and death and now we live by the Spirit. It is truly the greatest blessing to receive Jesus as your Savior and to be set free.