The Law of Sin and Death

The Law of Sin and Death is a teaching found within the book of Romans. Of late on this blog and podcast, we talk a lot about “counting the costs” and otherwise being prepared to give our all to The Lord. Rather than blindly saying that we “accept” Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we realize that, though scripture, there is much more to this thing called “The Salvation of God” than the world in general would have us to believe.

In the book of Romans, we find The Apostle Paul rehearsing what a person must go through in order to truly have the ability to acknowledge God’s work of salvation within their life, and to also understand their part in the equation as God authors it. The understanding of this “Law of Sin and Death” cannot be purchased, fully told, or otherwise gained without God’s intervention. Simply put: if God does not author our repentance as the beginning of salvation in our lives, we will never truly have it!

Well, the reality of this is that we do indeed have to make a choice. The problem is that this is not a choice that can be made lightly, or in a split second of time. Oh, we can try to keep God’s Word this way, but it will unfortunately only lead us to error and delusion if we disregard the Truth that it is God’s work, accomplished in a process. You see God’s way is through patience, so He wants us to be sold 100% out to Him before He will further move in our lives, for our sake.

Thus, we will never experience the Law of Sin and Death for ourselves until accept the Truth of what God expects of one of His children; that we obey His commandments. We will never be able to accept the Truth until we hear the Truth. Maybe this is the first time you will hear? The Truth is that God sent His only begotten Son into the world that through Him the world might be saved. How? By cleansing us from sin. And, IF we have been cleansed, sin will no longer be present in our lives (now this is a process though.) God wants us to serve Him in His righteousness (in Christ.) Not only this, but He wants us to know how He saves us. It is through and by His Word!

Now, IF we REALLY believe this Truth what will happen? -We will become repentant and try to turn from our sin so that we might be found pleasing in the sight of God Almighty. Again – IF we really believe and we truly try to do only what is right, what will happen? -One of the first things is that we will learn what the Law of Sin and Death is all about in the life of a mortal man.

What the Law of Sin and Death Teaches Us

The Law of Sin and Death teaches us that God’s Word is real. It tells us what mankind already knows of themselves: that they cannot do good in the sight of God always and flawlessly. It proves to us that we cannot stop sin from reigning in our lives - within our own capabilities and our own willpower. Sure, we may stop some things, but not all things flawlessly before God (who really matters.) We learn this through real, first-hand experience once we hear the Truth and try to obey it.

We must acknowledge this Truth first, and the Truth that God IS able to perform this work within us! He CAN remove sin (through His process of saving) in our lives, and make us walk perfectly before Him at all times. He is the only One who can do this though, and it is not the way that we might think that we would go about accomplishing this great feat. It is His way. And what is His way? -His way is perfect! Amen?

Of course, believing is the key here; always is. We first must believe who Jesus really is, and that He died for our sin, and was resurrected in newness of life. Then, we go on to learn the remainder of His Word, because Jesus is the Word of God.

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

2 Thessalonians 2:11-14 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth: Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 6:1-2 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment

Ephesians 3:17-21 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

The Law of Sin and Death in the Bible

As we dive into the Law of Sin and Death, as found in the Bible, it is important to note these things:

Paul was very knowledgeable in the things of God, amen? In his writings concerning the Law of Sin and Death, mainly found within Romans, we see him going back and forth between past and present tense situations. He does this much like some story lines do. Imagine that you are watching a movie and the character is acting in the present, but begins showing or telling another person things that happened in the past for them, so that they might better explain what they mean, or where they are coming from. This is how Paul jumps back and forth in the book of Romans.

The other thing that is important for us to realize is that there are many different laws found within the bible. In the new testament scripture, these can get a little confusing to the unlearned of God. No wonder though – they were written in a time and place where the readers of those times would have, no doubt, understood what was being said. We however, not being present in the time period of these writings, need to be studied a bit more of the times in order to comprehend what is being said.

What about the book? Paul did not write the book of Romans with chapters and verses separating thoughts (as we know it.) If we read chapter 6, we see the overview of the subject “the Law of Sin and Death”. The beginning of chapter 7 explains more in depth the details of what Paul went through to get this understanding of how The Spirit works in our lives as mentioned in the entirety of chapter 6.

If we read chapter 7 and continue straight though into chapter 8 as if they were not two separate chapters, we are very likely to get a different view of what Paul is really saying. Specifically, if we read Chapter 7 verse, 24-25, and then continue reading through chapter 8 as these were intended to be one group of thoughts, recapping Paul’s understanding of the subject, after he had lived through the Law of Sin and Death.

There is also the possibility that the reader may not possess the Spirit of God in their life, and this scripture can become downright mind-boggling or even boring; not having the minimal knowledge and wisdom of God’s way. Good news though! We are going to walk through this, and by the Grace of God, prove what is being said…

The Many “Laws” Found in the Bible

There are many different laws spoken of in the Bible. Some examples are The Law of Moses, The Law of Liberty, The Law of Sin and Death, there is even a Law of Jealousies!

Definition of “law” https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/law

1. the system of rules that a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and may enforce by the imposition of penalties.

2. a statement of fact, deduced from observation, to the effect that a particular natural or scientific phenomenon always occurs if certain conditions are present. [In this case: if sin is present in the body]

When most of us hear the word “law”, we think of the laws or rules that either God has given us, or that our government has determined we should follow. Maybe even rules to a club or job. These types of laws best fit the definition #1 above. Another type of law, however, speaks more of how something always seems to work, like the Law of Gravity. These laws best fit the 2nd definition of “law” above. This also happens to be the category that the Law of Sin and Death falls into.

Let’s start reading in Romans with Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which ARE In Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

So, Paul is telling us above that he has been set free from this “Law of Sin and Death”. Concerning the Law of Gravity, we know that whatever has any mass to it, if it is gripped by the force of gravity, it will fall to the ground – and this without any other intervention. That is just the way that gravity works! Who does not know this?

The thing about all laws, whether they fit definition 1 or 2 above, is that they can be defied. This is also easy to understand. We can defy man’s law by parking near a fire hydrant in most cities. We can defy the law of gravity by driving so fast that our car can hydroplane on water.

The interesting thing about some laws that fall into definition 2 above (such as the Law of Gravity or the Law of Sin and Death) is that they may not always be so easy to defy, or that the same method or force used to defy them will not always work to overpower them under every circumstance. Likewise, man can, within himself, stop doing some of the sinful things that he has done in the past (or at least minimize how often he does them.) This is through his own will though, not God’s righteousness. God’s righteousness is perfect, without flaw.

I have a set of gym weights. I can defy the Law of Gravity by applying force to pick up a weight. However, if I put too many pounds on the bar, I am not strong enough to defy the law of gravity that holds it on the floor. – We all understand this! But God can lift that bar, no matter how much weight is on it. Amen?

The Law of Sin and Death is no different than the Law of Gravity in the same sense of the points we just made. Sin is a very heavy weight that no man is strong enough to lift on his own! Just like lifting heavy gym weights where we need a spotter, if we are to lift the Law of Sin and Death from our lives, we need the power of God in our lives to do so! AMEN!?

As a matter of fact, the book of Hebrews tells us that sin is heavy and speaks of how “easily it can beset us”:

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us

The Law of Moses

Let’s look at the Law of Moses(also referred to The Law of The Lord, Law of God, and Law of The Prophets, and possibly other like names from the Old Testament):

This is how I read this with the understanding that God has willed to me by His Grace:

Romans 7:1-16 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law, how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man [now she is under Grace through the death of the Old Testament Law In Christ]. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law [of Moses] by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead [Jesus!], that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law [of Moses], did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. [“For the wages of sin is death… Romans 6:23a] But now we are delivered from the law [and thereby sin (free from sin)], that being dead wherein we were held [Just like the woman that was married to a man as long as he was alive]; that we should serve in newness of spirit [performing righteousness instead of sin], and not in the oldness of the letter. [“Letter” here is referring to the “letter” of The Law we are talking about right now. In other words, when the Law says to offer two turtle-doves, it literally means exactly this and there is no room for interpretation or deviation if a person truly keeps it.]

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. [I may have not known that it is wrong in the sight of God to take my neighbor’s car without permission, had I not read in the Law, “Thou shalt not steal”.] But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence [strong desire]. For without the law sin was dead. [without the Law, there was nothing to define what sin is] For I was alive without the law once [This reminds me of toddlers when you tell them “no” for the first time. They were having so much fun breaking things before you made them realize that it was wrong to do.]: but when the commandment came [Mom said “no” for the first time!], sin revived [I became guilty of breaking the Law], and I died. [wages of sin] And the commandment [The Law of Moses], which was ordained to life [designed to keep sin to a minimum until Jesus would establish the New Testament… Galations 3:19], I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment [Again, it was not sin, but ignorance - until God called it in The Law], deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the Law [of Moses]is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. [It teaches the ways of God, and helps us to understand His will.] Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. [God did not give The Law of The Old Testament to execute judgement or wrath upon us, it was for our good. Once we identify that we are in sin, we are able to choose to serve God (if that is what we really want through His grace)] But sin, that it might appear sin[The Law defined right from wrong for us], working death in me by that which is good [The Law]; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual [Given of God]: but I am carnal, sold under sin [Born into it, compliments of the first Adam – sold us into slavery when he and Eve disobeyed God and corrupted the entire earth and everything therein].

All Three Laws in Motion Together

Not sure if most people see this or not, but Paul has been slowly transitioning over the last few versus into the Law of Sin and Death, turning to speak less about The Law of Moses and the Prophets?

Here we find the “rehearsal” of Paul that I was speaking to earlier. Again - the person who has received the Truth (true seed of the Word of God) will be determined to obey and seek to please God but may quickly find out that they do not yet have the power over all three parts of themselves: body, soul, and mind/spirit.

At this point in time (which is proof of true repentance), the new follower of Christ is being drawn nearer to God, perhaps even being tested to show himself what his/her true intentions are. God already knows, but we do not fully know ourselves. Was it Godly sorrow, or maybe just sadness for lack of this world’s goods? Possibly someone has hurt the individual and they are only seeking comfort? God can surely supply all of our needs. However, is there something else that this person is not giving up for God, that He will require? Basically, is this person truly committed with no regrets?

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

We need to know where our heart stands in the sight of God. Here we go:

Romans 7:17-24 Now then it is no more I that do it [Paul doesn’t want to commit sin because he is repentant of that life], but sin [lust of the flesh to do evil] that dwelleth in me. [ VERY IMPORTANT: Remember that Paul is rehearsing a time prior to his conversion here!] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [This is BEFORE we are converted, where God imparts His Spirit, purifying our hearts. We are otherwise completely made of the flesh of this world that was made corrupt with the fall of Adam and Eve.] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. [Sin is just too much weight; too heavy for man] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. [Paul is opening the door here to reveal The Law of Sin and Death to us] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Here is where this experience confronting self led Paul:

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [I personally know and believe that this is the same similar cry that every true seed of God (maybe even those that will be deceived?) will make as they progress through this realization that they are not stronger than the sin that is in them, but yet they believe Jesus who said “Go, sin no more.”

“Lord, but how? – I’ve tried!” “What is wrong?” “Did I deceive myself?” “Did I allow some other man to mislead me? “ “Did I misunderstand what I thought you were showing me?” “Why do I see my mom do this, and my pastor do that?”

“Oh wait! Paul is answering us ‘the how’ here…”

Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. [because:] So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. [Now Paul truly knows that he is truly repentant and wants to serve God with all his heart, but that he is not able to do this alone; within his own abilities.]

That was then, this is now:

Let’s move on with the new understanding that Paul has learned AFTER being converted…

Romans 8:1-14 There is therefore NOW [present time (in Paul’s life) After the above experience] no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus [being recreated “in” the Word of God now], who walk not after the flesh [sin], but after the Spirit [righteousness]. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me FREE from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do [make a person righteous in the sight of God], in that it was weak through the flesh [because we could not fully keep it within and of ourselves, having a defiled our conscience toward God], God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh [remember Mary conceived by the Holy Ghost?], and for sin [to cleanse and remove it from us; to save us!], condemned sin in the flesh [1 John 3:5 And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin]: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh [sin, death], but after the Spirit [righteousness, life]. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh [This is the state that we are born in, seeking vain glory and treasures on Earth, etc.]; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit [Holiness, righteousness, justice, equity in the things of God]. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity [feeling hostility or ill will] against God: for it is not subject to [oblivious to] the law of God [we are also talking about our subconscious mind also you know], neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh [not yet made free, converted, still chained by The Law of Sin and Death] cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. [???] Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ [not converted with the indwelling Spirit and thereby Power of God], he is none of His. And IF Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin [The Truth has killed it because sin can no longer be manifest in it or through it!]; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness [Child of God’s mind/spirit is able to control the entire body through the Spirit of God that has been perfected (or is being perfected) in him/her]. But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you [Holy Ghost (I just explained in the verse above)], he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken [make alive] your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you [same Spirit that resurrected Christ will do the same within us. How? It leads and guides us into ALL Truth – John 16:13]. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh [we owe sin to no one], to live after the flesh [not to partake in things that no longer have power over us]. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God [leads us where it led Christ. He is our example – who did no sin.], they are the sons of God.

So now, was Paul free from sin or not??? Of course he was! Paul was merely trying to teach us the war that he went through between his mind and body when he first chose to serve Christ so that we would understand what to expect? Was Paul free? If not, he would have been a hypocrite to preach this (below) (and we know that God’s Word is not made up of the notes written by hypocrites!

Don’t most people say that they believe that they can live without sin? Yes, they do. This is then not a case of what they say, but rather what they do not say: that with God all things are possible; and this does include removing sin from our mortal man! We will never know this until we try to obey Christ. When we do this with all our heart, he will then meet us in that place and show us the true power of God.

To say that we can sit in God’s throne with Him while we still have sin on this earth is to make ourselves better than Christ, because He learned obedience through the things which He suffered, and He did no sin while here on this earth!

Having God’s Righteousness

The following passage sums up this Law of Sin and Death ‘experience’. Yes, I know that it was written in Romans chapter 6, before the chapters that Paul is said here to have “rehearsed” what he went through. Chapter 6 is the version of Truth before the explanation, if you will receive it?

Romans 6:1-15 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

“No one is perfect” is perhaps the oldest phrase known to man, coined by Satan himself. That is the lie that Satan has created hundreds of thousands of variations of to deceive the world. Well, let’s not call what God has made whole, unclean! To say that a person is saved and still capable of sin, is to say that they are better than Jesus. Proof?

Hebrews 5:8-9 Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;

1 John 5:18-19 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

What really punches our ticket to heaven is our faith in the truth because Jesus is the true Word of God. So, what do you believe? Is there evidence of it in your life?

May the God of Grace bless all that hear and are sincere!

rob@INTRUTH.site

Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

#LawOfSinAndDeath #FreeFromSin #GodsGraceIsSufficient