March 26, 2012

The news the broadcaster suggests that the weather will be so beautiful that today might be a good one to skip going to work - I have the privilege of this being my day off. I have so many possibilities open – flying, motorcycling, hiking, running, gardening, writing, personal finances, housework, and the list goes on!

I will begin with a chapter of scripture from Romans combined with a look at Martin Luther’s comments on the chapter.

Romans 7

Verse 4 “… that we might bear fruit for God.” Yes! This is the goal of the life in Christ. This is my opportunity as a pastor to identify, teach, lead, and be an example of bearing fruit for God.

Verse 5 “For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.”

Verse 6 “But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”

Martin Luther describes Paul’s premise – the law refers to man’s heart and will, and not merely to his external works. “Sin and wrath come from the Law. Hence, no one dies to the Law who does not die to sin; and whoever dies to sin, dies also to the Law. As soon as a person is free from sin, he also is free from the servitude of the Law. So, then, when sin has dominion over us, then also the Law has dominion over us, and vice versa.” (P. 108, Mueller, 1954 Zondervan)

Paul continues his line of reasoning in verse 7: “What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law…” “For sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.” (Verse 11)

Throughout the rest of Romans 7 Paul describes the struggle he has, and every person has, with sin controlling his flesh, even as his mind serves the law of God. He will resolve this tension beautifully in the next chapter. One question Audrey and I have discussed recently is whether Paul was describing a struggle with the flesh that precedes one’s salvation in Christ, or whether he is describing an ongoing struggle within a believer until death. I see both possibilities. This morning I would describe the struggle with sin as being real both before and after salvation, but it takes on a different nature. The moment a person surrenders to the cross, and dies to self, rising with Christ there is an eternal victory over sin and its resulting death. And from that moment forward to glory, the believer participates with the Holy Spirit of God in the process of sanctification, becoming increasingly Christ like, more holy, less self-centered as part of the nature spiritual maturation.

Guide me Holy Lord today, on this “sabbath rest”, this day off, to enjoy You, experience re-creation, and bear much fruit in its season.

Yesterday was a good day of ministry, with 4 good worship services, each including Holy Communion, and an afternoon meeting of the building study committee. Last night Audrey and I saw the movie “Hunger Games”, mainly because it is such a cultural phenomenon. It was an interesting movie, even though I did fall asleep and snore loudly before being poked awake by my date!