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Daily Devotions

Romans

Romans 
Day 
Day 136

"She is free from that law..."

Text: Romans 7:3

A DEEP SPIRITUAL APPLICATION OF THE LAW

Paul was a master theologian. He made reference to the law concerning marriage for a specific theological purpose. This is well reflected in the following text.

“For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law
to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies,
she is released from the law of her husband.
So then, if while her husband lives, she marries another man,
she will be called an adulteress: but if her husband dies,
she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress,
though she has married another man.”
Romans 7:2-3

The point that Paul was trying to make is quite clear! The law has a hold on the living, but not the dead! Paul went on to apply this idea.

“Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law
through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another-
to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit
to God.”
Romans 7:4

1. Dead to the law

The law does not apply to one who is dead. This is a legal truth. Paul went to say that this is also a great spiritual truth.

2. Dead through the body of Christ

We are fully identified with Christ through faith! When Christ died, we also become “dead through (identification with) the body of Christ”.

3. Married to Him who was raised from the dead

How should we understand this statement? Let us consider the following thoughts:-

a) Marriage is a relationship
i) The old relationship through the law no longer applies.
ii) A new relationship is now spiritually possible through Christ and with Christ.
b) Marriage to Christ

The Scriptures do indeed speak of Christ’s relationship with the Church in marriage terms (Cf. Ephesians 5:22-33).

BEAR FRUIT TO GOD

The result of this union with Christ should be that of fruitfulness (Cf. John 15)!