Thoughts on the Epistle to the Romans (120) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

When we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
Romans 7:5.6

Thoughts on the Epistle to the Romans (120)
Through the example of the law of marriage Paul made it clear that a believer legitimately no longer stands under the law. He is now united with Christ in order to serve Him alone.

The apostle then develops this thought under the viewpoint of its practical effects.

The word "flesh" here does not signify a person's body, but his fallen nature as a descendant of Adam. Whoever has not yet been converted to the Saviour Jesus Christ is "in the flesh" and totally under its rule. Before God he stands in the position of the first Adam, i.e. man.

The flesh, the law, sin and death - these four concepts are connected. When a person "in the flesh", who has only the old, sinful nature, is confronted with the law, the passions of sin are aroused, and the result is death.

The believer, on the other hand, still has the flesh in him, but he is no longer "in the flesh" but "in Christ" (ch. 8, v. 9). United with Christ and freed from the law, he stands in a completely new position before God. Therefore a Christian has no fixation concerning the literal fulfilment of the law's demands ("the letter"), but looks to Christ so as to follow Him in the power of the Holy Spirit.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Psalm 105, vv. 23 - 45