Law and Gospel - The Law for the Legalist

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. - Romans 7:4 (ESV) Christians think of themselves as 'law & order' folks. Not the show as much as the attitude. Generally, politically we are for an active civil government that legislates and enforces order. We are positive about the police and we see the system set up as generally just. Anarchy is something to be feared and stopped. So when we come to Romans 7, you might be taken back because Paul's descriptions of the law aren't very positive. He's not talking about man's laws or governmental justice, but God's law. In fact this law doesn't prevent sin but promotes it. This week we head into this critical chapter in Romans. It's a chapter that brings with it a lot of debate. But also one that I think resonates deeply in the heart of every sinner-saint.