Romans 7:13, Goodness of the Law

Romans 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

The Apostle Paul declared that the law of God is holy, just and good. He explained that the indictment of the law against the sinner for transgressing it, should by no means diminish the highest rightly regard accorded to it. The law of God showed to man his sinfulness. He ought to be grateful that God did not leave him without knowledge of his fallen estate but revealed the law to show his sinfulness so that redress can be made!

In the Old Testament, God’s law was prominently upheld. Along with it, the solution was given to save the sinner from its condemnation throughout redemption history!

Adam and Eve experienced fear and shame after they sinned against God by transgressing His law of abstinence concerning the partaking the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It was God who reached out to them with the remedy.

Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

This was a pre-cursor of what Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, would do for them in the fullness of time. Therefore, the law has its place in setting the standard of conduct for His people. The law is not to be faulted if a man chooses to disobey to his detriment!

I recalled a classmate in school who said that God’s law was too difficult to keep, she was very tired of trying to keep up to its demand and, therefore, decided to let her faith take a back seat in her life. It was a period of backsliding. She had not understood the power of God’s grace in her life to enable her to love God’s law and fulfill it! Years later, she finally understood and now happily lived by God’s grace to bring up her children.

The Apostle Paul had in mind to encourage the Christians in Rome in their Christian walk when he wrote these words. Thank God for these words of life that give us a proper understanding between the law and man! Amen.