Controversial Number 7

 

Controversial Number 7

Hebrews – all of it

Romans 7

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?”

     The question:  In Romans chapter seven, was Paul describing a lost man or a Christian wrestling with daily sanctification?  The key may be Romans 7 verse 1.  “Brethren” he says.  Those that know the law.  Therefore, in Rome, who are his intended audience in this epistle?  He targets the Jews amongst the Gentiles in the mixed recipients.  As a master writer running the ink of God on paper, scribe Tertius is faithful to pen the man’s heart here.

 Romans 9:3 “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:”

     The book of Hebrews echoes God’s plea to the Jews as their eyes grow dim in the acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah sent.  Hence, God calls them to reason.  His argument is with man persuading them to behold the Light offered.  Crazy!  A God who holds out His arms again to those on the verge of personal rejection.

     Can a man be saved by the works of his hands?  Ask Cain.  Something corrupt in his heart thinking God owed him something.  Such the same attitude blowing up from the past threatening to extinguish the new understanding of God’s grace.  For whosoever calleth upon the name of the Lord shall be saved?  Jews in staunch allegiance to the sacrificial way and the tedious keeping of the law, pressed their voices loudly against Paul’s message.

     God sought to work one new man from the two.  He worked to yoke the stubborn ox’s head and the new Gentile heifer willing birth for Him the offspring of Ephram.  A promise kept to Abraham meant he would be a blessing to the nations.  Surely Jacob crossed his arms rightly when sending off the youth of Joseph.  Manasseh was to be the lesser.  God envisioned a gospel radiating from His chosen people.

     Giving the law was to be the springboard launching all of Mankind into a deeper relationship with God.  It is one thing to be convicted of their sins, but then to have the hope of eradication met in cross of free forgiveness would draw the suffering.

     Guilt is a universal cancer.  It does not feel good.  Even without Moses’ law, we Gentiles are a law unto ourselves when we cross what we have written as acceptable behavior.  We have no need of God’s refinement found in scripture.  We stumble over the laws we have laid without them.  Guilt before man and God is irrevocable unless the Christ comes to our defense.

     Did Paul know this feeling?  He orchestrated in his mind the solution.  Seeing Christ as the only way, he appealed to those under the law to fulfill it by walking on the water.  Death had its work in the past suffocating the old man.  He called them to a new walk.  Please leave behind what could not save from God’s wrath.  The futile palms could not bring to the Almighty a grand sacrifice.  God Himself had to provide the Lamb.

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