ReNEWed COVENANT Ministry

SABBATH BIBLE STUDY

10-29

(2020-21)

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Compiled by JS LOWTHER
renewedcovenantministry.com
servant@renewedcovenantministry.com

The Doctrine of Good Works

and of

The Fruits of the Spirit

Part.6

Married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God

Rom_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?
Rom 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
Rom 7:3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Rom 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
Rom 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
Rom 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Rom 7:8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
Rom 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
Rom 7:10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
Rom 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
Rom 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Rom 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Rom 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Rom 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

A word so far:

I do believe I have represented the doctrine accurately, but I also know that I had ventured over the line in focusing on specific misunderstandings and mis-applications which are relevant but are perhaps not directly focused upon the substance of our theological as to out position on this subject, but have rather looked at the rearrangements of the gears of the system of fruits and good works, such as law keeping, commandment keeping including the Christian sacrament of Baptism which we affirm, but nor proceeding faith or happening contemporarily beside faith or Grace or regeneration, but rather like other good works ordained by God in his word we only believe Baptism is a gift of the Holy spirit when it is accepted in precession of Faith in Christ’s completed work, which is affirmed as the grace of God to believers as a free unmerited gift; likewise on a different gear of the system or a different sprig of our branch so are all good works which come directly out of the bible which is the word of God, as his logic and therefore as his appointed and commanded reasonable service we are to give our lives to. So I think these examples we have specifically looked at should help clarify the system which we believe come out of the scripture.

And so, I want to use the chapter we read as a template to show some very important truths about the life of a Christian, and how it after that dead, dark and chaotic state we described last week he is arisen with Christ and by Christ’s power to walk in a newness of life, and that new life rather than being in chaos, darkness and void is fruitful growing, namely in the proving what the acceptable will of the Lord.
So let us look at the points of Paul’s lesson which we have entered into this study with.

Rom_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?
Rom 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
Rom 7:3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

Let me make specific note that we here have an absolute confirmation that Christians of the first century knew the Law of God and were taught to prove what the will of God is by that holy law, we know this plainly because Paul addresses this remark to “them that know the law” , and the Law spoken of is that law of marriage and adultery, that is we are considering a spiritual analogy. But to know the analogy or allegory we must know the actual law which Moses revealed in the wilderness in the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after the covenant made in promise of the Gospel given to Abraham (Gal_3:17), ok, this Law of marriage in its finest and extended detail and codification as a national legal code was not fully revealed until the days of Moses, but never the less it is an eternal law it is the logic of God that has been since the beginning inseparably joined to the Word of God and Jesus Christ’s person.
Yet to understand this object of discussion, one must read that law and know that law to even follow Paul’s logic here, now if you are person that says “I do not have a legal mind, I do not like thinking about law.” Then let me advertise to you that you should pray for more fruits of the spirit, which is the spirit of truth and spirit of widom, the holy spirit, ask in prayer to have the mind of Christ and for God to separate you unto that knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the truth of His word to know this part of his eternal word his holy Law:
And so for those of you, especially my faimily which are on my heart I am to fulfill:
Col_1:9 to …not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding…
and you who lack wisdom to consider these things are to follow
Jas_1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
This is nothing less than asking for the wisdom knowledge and understanding hidden in Christ to be further revealed, this is nothing less than desiring of God to further your desire according to his will, which is taught in his word.
This is the regulative principle of worship in practice regarding the worship of God through the mind he has given you which is the mind of Christ the Logic of God, his word.
Do you remember how in John we focused on the works of God in choosing you and causing you to bear fruit?
Listen to What David here says in the ESV of
Psa_111:7 The works of YHWH’s hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;
Psa 111:8 they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
Psa 111:9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!
Psa 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
Wow… that is much to say about the Law of God, the Commandments of God and about of faithful desire we should have to understand the application of God’s Law.
So what was said to those who know the Law’s of marriage and adultery?, the law of the death of husbands and of wives?
It expresses the plain truth of the 7th commandment that a woman can not lawful marry another man while she is married to her first husband, and so Paul turns his focus to the death of the husband and personifies it as the Law.

Paul’s specific application is to the Law as the first husband, and ye or you are married to the Law of God, now the focus is on this How is a woman freed from the husband of her youth? In this context he dies. and then she is free and can not be an adulterous through she be married to another husband, right?
So the first husband is in fact the Law of God according to verse 3, but the likewise application then switches the one who dies
Rom_7:4 Wherefore or likewise, my brethren, ye / you also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
So here is what Paul is saying, The Body of Jesus was the death of the Law but you likewise or wherefore have a part in this death, because “you also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ”, so the death is of both parties as well. This is because of Jesus Resurrection, and that supernatural and singular event of imputation, reconciliation and fruit. This is why we have a double death of the husband- the law and the death of the wife- “you also are become dead” and this is because also are become dead because you were chosen in him before the foundations of the world, that is that when the body of Jesus Christ was crucified and died upon the cross of Golgotha that in fact he took upon his body your sin, and therefore in Christ’s body you died.
This is Isa 53 and that summarized in 1Pe_2:24 Christ… Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
And as Paul says Rom_7:4 ….you also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
Is that fruit of focus we have been focusing on:
Joh_15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
and expressed by Christ choice of his own before his passion in:
Joh_15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
So here is why the resurrection of Jesus reconciles us to God:
Rom 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

And so Paul confirms that like he said prior in
Rom_3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
and again in Rom_4:15 ….the law worketh wrath…
and then confirming our death by the Law and by the death of the body of Christ we then see deliverance and reconciliation in the resurrection:
Rom 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
And so notice the division here :
1. serve in newness of spirit,
2. serve in the oldness of the letter.
So it is true that Jesus life before the resurrection represents the law and the law of sin and death, the law which demanded payment in blood for the wages of sin, and Jesus Christ know the whole time he lived in the likeness of sinful flesh that that likeness which he wore was going to incur the full judgment of the wrath of God the Father, the full judgment of the penalty for sin would be amplified in every stripe of the whip, and hammer of the nails, and plating of the thorns of curse: because he would on that day pay the price, the debt note, for those whom he had chosen since the foundation of the world because in their lives they broke that perfect, holy, just and good law.
Paul is not saying the Law is bad in its letter, Paul is saying the law is so perfect that it cannot be fulfilled in the letter, but that its righteousness can be fulfilled in the spirit and only in the resurrected newness of life that is alive because of Jesus resurrection which has “ married you to another even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.”
The resurrection of Jesus in establishing the New Covenant by His blood, the literal blood of the word of God, the literal blood of the covenant made by God the Father, Word and Spirit in eternity before the foundations of the world was spilt on one decisive day, in one chosen place, for one chosen people of Election.
But the Covenant of God’s mercy did not bleed as a man so that you could abandon marriage to God and not bring forth fruit by his Law, but rather that you might bear much fruit according to his word resurrected, according to his law is renewed by the holy spirit in your heart and mind and soul.
So Paul anticipates the common misunderstanding the majority of the Christian world has erred head long into despite the corrections and warnings of not doing so:
Rom_7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Say it with me: Is the Law sin? Godforbid
Nay, I had not known sin Except the law had said…thou salt NOT
And so here is the first husband, and here is our failure before Christ:
Rom_7:8 sin, taking occasion by the commandment, worked in me all manner of concupiscence that’s covetousness or lust . For without the law sin was dead.
Rom 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
Rom 7:10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
Rom 7:11 For sin, seizing an opportunity by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me.
See Paul is Painting a picture of Condemnation which all who have not recognized the power of the resurrection of Christ as the resurrected word have not concluded with. That is that you can live alongside the law of God happily ad ignorantly, not knowing you failure but when your husband begins to command of you particular responsibilities, such as “Thou shalt not covet”, the more you focus upon the letters of that command and how deep that command convicts your soul of sin, the more you realize that this Law is wrath, that this law will shut your mouth and leave you guilty before God, why?
Rom 7:12 Because, the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
and so the question is asked:
Rom 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me?
and answered : God forbid.
and the explanation given:
But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
now believe it or not this is not an original concept to the apostle Paul, as all who sand Psalm 119 this morning know:
Psa 119:71-72

It hath been very good for me that I afflicted was,
That I might well instructed be, and learn thy holy laws.

72 The word that cometh from thy mouth is better unto me
Than many thousands and great sums of gold and silver be.

or as Paul said prior Rom_6:17 God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have now obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
And Paul makes another statement not originating in himself but of the Holy Spirit of God, and a quote we should all memorize and commit our trust upon:
Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
If any one ever tells you the law of God, the commandments of God, the precepts of God, the ordinances of God, the judgments of God, yea, any word of God is not spiritual, and spiritual to live in the newness of Spirit you quote this verse and know this, you are talking to a confused Christian, or perhaps one who has chosen their own way in striving against the law of God as to abandon good works, which men do to ease their responsibilities to God.
See here is problem, when you have not totally resolves this issue Paul is describing as to how you must have all your trust and hope on Jesus death and resurrection for your salvation, if you just an let go of the idea that you must do something right, which is a covetousness over the work of salvation, the house of salvation and the marriage of Salvation (go read the 10th commandment on covetousness), you will find the commandment which should be to life, which should be to good for those whom God shows good to by his word of Grace, that rather those letters of the word of God will be to death, because John 15:5, with our the resurrected husband you can do NOTHING, no fruit of life, only the fruit of the corruption of death.
You need a savior, you need the one who bears your sorrow, your grief and your pain, and by whose stripes you are healed as the wife of His covenant that can bring fruit unto God.

I am going to read the remainder of this chapter again with this explanation from the ESV for ease of understanding

Rom_7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.
Rom 7:15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
Rom 7:16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.
Rom 7:17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
Rom 7:19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
Rom 7:21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,
Rom 7:23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
Rom 7:24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
There is the pardicament, there is the wretchedness of our state as a wife to the Law unresurected, there is the wretchedness of our state before we were realized we were raised up with his to sit in heavenly places.
But what does Paul lead us to in consideration of te Law of God as a whole, any word spoken? Does he leave it in the Grave to die? or does he suppernaturally resurrect us to serve the law of God in this newness of life and spirit?
Does Paul leave us in the grave dead to a husband or uncondemningly marry us to another which is not another, but is he and us raised from the dead a revived and walk in the spiritual law of God?
Lets see:
Rom 7:25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
Rom 8:4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Back to that walk again, back to that way, God as a workman made us to be, not a walk devoid of God’s Law on any wise, but a law that we can un condemningly walk in by the power of Christ’s resurrected life through the power of the holy spirit.