Are Christians Truly Free from the Law?
Romans 7:1–4
Have you ever wondered about the intricate dance between law and grace in the Christian faith?
It’s a question that has challenged many, and today, we’re diving into the wisdom of Paul to shed some light on this topic.
Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, declares that Christians are no longer under the law but under grace.
It seems like a contradiction, doesn’t it? How can we be free from the law, yet still beholden to it? Let’s unravel this mystery together.
Paul begins by posing a thought-provoking question: “Or do you not know, brothers and sisters (for I am speaking to those who know the Law), that the Law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives?” (Romans 7:1).
It’s a question that beckons us to think about the role of the law in our lives while we’re here on this earthly journey.
While we draw breath in this world, the law asserts its rightful claim over us. There are divine expectations placed upon us, expectations that stem from our devotion to God.
But here’s where it gets intriguing — Paul introduces us to a married couple to illustrate his point: “For the married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he is alive; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband” (Romans 7:2–3).
In this marriage analogy, we see that the law binds the husband and wife as long as they both live. To stray from this covenant and marry another is considered adultery. Only death can sever this bond. Likewise, only death breaks the law’s hold on humanity.
Paul’s teaching underscores a profound truth: our legal obligation to God ceases with our physical death. However, this obligation has been graciously terminated by the death of Christ.
“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you also were put to death in regard to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God” (Romans 7:4).
Here’s the revelation: when Christ died, so did you, if you’re a believer. His death fulfilled every demand of the law, setting us free from its grasp. We died to the law through Christ’s sacrifice, but the story doesn’t end there.
You see, the moment we were freed from the law, we entered into a new covenant. There’s never a point in the Christian journey when we’re not in communion with Christ. We died to the law, but we were immediately united with the risen One.
However, He is the embodiment of the law itself. So, while we may be free from the old legal obligations, we are now bound and betrothed to a Person who not only gives but also upholds the law for all eternity.
We see in the narrative of grace, we find our freedom not in the absence of law but in our eternal connection to the One who embodies it. This is the beautiful paradox of our faith — a dance between grace and law, made clear through the lens of Paul’s wisdom.
Pastor Rich is a dedicated minister and experienced business owner. I received my Master of Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and my Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Spurgeon College. With over eight years of experience in the ministry, I currently serve as the Outreach and Evangelism Pastor at First Baptist Church Springfield, MO.
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