Released from the Law

Readings:
Ezra 10
Romans 7:1-6

Focus:
Romans 7:6: "But now, having died to that which held us bound, we are released from the law, to serve God in a new way, the way of the spirit in contrast to the old way of a written code."

Paul uses the example of someone who is married. As long as both spouses are alive, they are bound to each other. But once one has died, the remaining spouse is freed from being legally bound and may marry another.

In the same way, Paul says, when we give our lives to Christ, and are identified with him in his death, then we are released from having to try to earn salvation through obedience to law. Instead, we can have the freedom of receiving salvation as a free gift of grace.

Throughout the book of Romans, Paul makes this point over and over. It is a point worth making. We do not earn our salvation by being good. Jesus Christ gives it to us when we acknowledge the fact that he took our punishment instead of us. It's fantastic! We are released from the law and made free to serve God in a new way, the way of the Spirit.