The Death That Produces Fruit for God (Romans 7:4-6)

Scripture

• Romans 7:4–6

About this sermon

Introduction: I think it is true to say that nothing troubles a genuine Christian more than his or her own sinfulness. We are troubled by a frustrated desire for complete holiness. We do not want just consistent holiness; we want complete holiness. We want to grow. We wonder why it is that we do not grow more than we do. Yet, for all of that which troubles us, there is something that is still clear to us. While we are not yet what we desire to be, we are not what we once were. While the flesh is still present within us, we are no longer “in the flesh.” Sin still troubles us, but sin no longer rules us. While we are not yet characterized by complete holiness, we are characterized by growth in holiness. Not only is our relationship to sin forever changed, the apostle Paul is teaching us that our relationship to the law has forever changed. AND THESE TWO THINGS ARE VITALLY RELATED. That is what the 7th chapter of Romans is dealing with. Questions regarding the law of God. Questions regarding the Christian’s condition. Questions regarding progressive sanctification. And what we learn is that all three of those issues are wrapped up together. We are thinking today about the death that produces fruit for God. We have two main points (1) Fruit for God requires death to the law (vs.1-4), and (2) Fruit for God requires life in the Spirit (vs.5-6). FRUIT FOR GOD REQUIRES DEATH TO THE LAW (vs.1-4) Now, we covered these verses in some depth last week. So, I do not want to spend too much time going over them again, but there are some things I want to reinforce before we set our attention on verses 5-6. A REAL DEATH HAS OCCURRED (vs.4a) We spent time on this last week, but what Paul is describing is a release from the law in more than one way. We were released from the law regarding its perspective of us, and all humanity, outside of Christ. The law cannot save. The law cannot sanctify the unregenerate person. The law was never given for spiritual self-improvement, or self-salvation. The law reveals God’s character. The law reveals God’s moral will. The law exposes our sinfulness. The law condemns our sinfulness. The law demands the penalty for sin, which is death. Christ, our representative. Christ our substitute. He answered all the law’s claims upon us. He fulfilled all that the law required. HE DIED IN OUR PLACE. Which means that we died through His representation. And as a result of Christ’s death, through faith in Christ, our sins are forgiven, righteousness is given to us as a gift, we are reconciled to God, and a new union exists, union with the Son of God. THE OLD MAN HAS DIED. A NEW MAN HAS COME INTO BEING. As a result, we were also released from the law’s power exerted upon lost humanity. What is the effect, what is the outcome, of exposure to the law of God when someone is unregenerate? Paul will deal with this in verses 5-6, but we can say, as we prepare to look at those verses, that the result is INCREASED SINNING. The law does not curb sin — even if it curbs external exhibitions of sin — rather it stirs up sin in someone who doesn’t have the Spirit of God. HERE IS AN AMAZING REALITY. The message of grace does not lead to more sinning (which is the accusation) in the life of someone who has come into the realm of grace. But the law of God DOES lead to more sinning in the life of someone who HASN’T COME into the realm of grace. Legalism does not curb sin. Legalism stirs up sin. THAT DEATH WAS THE WORK OF GOD (vs.4a) “have died” translates θανατόω which is in the passive voice. This is why the NASB translates it, “were made to die to the law.” Our salvation is the work of God. This death to law is not explained by action made possible by us. If we had been left to ourselves, this new relationship to the law and God would have never taken place. We are God’s work. We are His creation.

Topics

• Heaven & Eternity