Romans 7:1, Not a Bondage But a Delight

Romans 7:1 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?

This chapter is to be read and understood as a whole. The Apostle Paul is putting forth precious truths concerning the state of the redeemed man. He tells us firstly that the moral law, as summarized in the Ten Commandments, is not abrogated when one becomes a Christian. It is furthest from the truth that he can now live outside the boundaries of God’s law, forsake holiness, and live lawlessly, having been freed from the bondage of sin and dead to the stranglehold of the law. He can now choose not to sin (Rom. 7:6).

– Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

The law no longer condemns him. By God’s grace, he has been saved by having faith in the redemptive work of Christ in His life, death and resurrection. And the Christian, out of a sanctified heart, delights in obeying the law of God, an enabling that God gives by His grace (Rom. 6:14; 7:22).

– Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

– Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man. 

This “dominion” of the law becomes not a bondage but a delight. He loves the law of God and chooses to practice it for his spiritual wellness. The psalmist attests to it in his testimony for our encouragement.

Psalm 119:1-16 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. 8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. 9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. 13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

May this be our Christian testimony day to day. Amen.