Saturday, March 29’s devotional. Romans 7:7-12 is a striking passage, exposing the true purpose of the law. Paul asks, “What should we say then? Is the law sin? Absolutely not! But I would not have known sin if it were not for the law” (Romans 7:7). The law is not the problem—our sin is. The law acts like a mirror, showing us the filth of our hearts, but it has no power to cleanse us.
The law reveals our desperate condition. Paul confesses, “For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind” (Romans 7:8). Sin twists what is good and exploits it for evil. Mark illustrates, “It’s like a warning sign on a wet floor; it doesn’t make you fall, but it tells you the floor is slippery. The problem isn’t the sign—it’s the danger it reveals.”
Left to ourselves, we are hopeless. Paul admits, “I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life again and I died” (Romans 7:9-10). The law pronounces us guilty, but it does not offer life. Mark clarifies, “The law is like a judge who rightly condemns a criminal but has no power to pardon him.”
But the gospel shines brightly against this dark backdrop. Paul reminds us, “So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good” (Romans 7:12). The law was never meant to save but to lead us to Christ. Mark points out, “This is where Galatians 3:24 comes in: ‘So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.’” Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly, taking our guilt upon Himself and offering us His righteousness.
If you are in Christ, rejoice! Mark exhorts, “Believer, the law no longer condemns you—Christ has fulfilled it on your behalf. Walk in the freedom of His grace.” If you have not yet trusted in Christ, today is the day. “Don’t let the law simply expose your sin; let it lead you to the only One who can save.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your law, which reveals my sin and my need for a Savior. Thank You for Jesus, who fulfilled the law and offers me life. Help me to trust in Him fully and walk in His righteousness. Amen.
This devotional content is not penned by the preacher. It is derived from the sermon notes. We aim to provide bite-sized reflections throughout the week for devotion and reflection.