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Pathways Through Paul
Daily Devotional
February 23
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Today's Pathway:
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Paul concluded Romans 7:5 by stating that when we were under the law we brought forth fruit unto death. In verse 6 he ushers in a new idea: as believers under grace we serve God in the "newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter". We need to be sure that we understand that Paul is not advocating "picking and choosing" which principles in the Word are to be followed and which can be ignored. Many have read this verse and come to the conclusion that they are not bound to keeping the "letter of the law", so they can live as they please. This is certainly not what Paul is teaching. I John 5:17 tells us that "all unrighteousness is sin", so violating any "letter of the law" must be wrong.
So what is Paul teaching? He is showing the difference between external obedience to rules and regulations, and an internal, spiritual relationship with God. Think about what was going on in the hearts and lives of many Jews during the Old Testament. They were keeping the rituals. They were offering the sacrifices. Yet their hearts were far from God. In Isaiah 29:13 God said,
"Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me."
They said and did the correct things, but in the heart, where it really matters, they were far away from the Lord. They were performing a service consisting in external forms and ceremonies rather than a sincere offering from the heart. So now Paul is writing to believers, many of whom were Jewish, and telling them that they should not be emulating the "worship by ritual" philosophy of their unbelieving ancestors, but should rather worship God "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23).
Let's look at this idea by expanding the marriage illustration that Paul used in verses 2-4. There are undoubtedly married couples who are "doing what they're supposed to do" in their marriage. The wife fulfills her responsibilities, and the husband fulfills his. They aren't screaming at each other or abusing each other, and they aren't cheating on each other. They are keeping the rules. However, there is not the closeness and spiritual oneness that there could be and which would make their relationship even more precious. They are keeping the "letter of the law", but missing out on something greater. The same can be said of some Christians. They go to church. They keep the rules. They don't commit crimes. They act like Christians when they're around other believers. Yet they are missing the deeper relationship with the Lord that God wants them to have, and which would be a tremendous blessing to them.
II Corinthans 3:6 says,
"the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."
Obeying rules simply for the sake of obeying rules makes a man miserable. When we do what we do only out of obligation we can get bitter easily and quickly. From our marriage illustration: when a man treats his wife properly only because he is required to, he can get very frustrated and angry. However, when he loves his wife, and does what he does based upon that affection, then it becomes much easier, and much sweeter, to behave as he should. Paul wrote in Colossians 3:19,
"Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them."
Proper love in a marriage will overcome bitterness. Proper love for God in our Christian walk will overcome bitterness as well.
Are you following a religion of rituals? Or are you having a wonderful, spiritual relationship with the God Who loves you and sent His Son to save you?
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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