Passage
Romans 7:1-13 (ESV)
Joseph Redeems His Brothers
Genesis 45:1-28
Key Verse: 45:7-8
We Belong to the Risen Christ
Date: Apr. 25, 2015
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 7:4
First, a new husband (1-6). In chapter 6, Paul taught that believers were united with Christ in his death. In this way, our relationship to the law was radically changed. Before receiving God's gift of righteousness through Christ, we were bound to the law and responsible for perfect obedience to it. If this is how we are still seeking righteousness, we need to give it up! But now, having died with Christ, we are no longer bound to the law. Instead, we belong to Him - our Living Savior. We can rest in Him. Belonging to him brings peace, assurance, and joy. It also brings a new purpose. Belonging to Jesus means we have not only received a new richness of life, but a divine and Spirit empowered purpose: bearing fruit for the glory of God.
Second, the law's purpose (7-13). So, who was to blame in our old relationship with the law? Is the law sinful? Paul says, "me? genoito", which means "May it never be!" The law was given by God to show us what sin is. However, once we learned more clearly the difference between good and evil, our sinful natures became even more rebellious. The law did not bring death. Sin did. The purpose of God's holy law is to show our need for a savior.
Prayer: Father, thank you for saving us from our sin.
One Word: We belong to another - Christ!
