Romans 7 Paul starts this difficult section with a simple illustration.. marriage.   A woman who is married is legally bound to her husband while he is alive. But, if he dies, she is no longer bound by law.  She is "free" to marry again if she chooses to do so.  Paul says that this is a similar relationship that  Jewish believers have to the Law.  They were bound to the Law until they died to it.  They died to the Law "through the body of Christ".. and then were joined to Him "who was raised from the dead... "

The Law.. while holy and righteous and good.. was not able to set anyone free from sin or death.  Instead, the Law "aroused" the "sinful passions" of the flesh. ( v5) 

The Law revealed.. or made known what sin is.. ".. I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, 'You shall not covet'." (v7)

The Law also brought about death.. because once sin was defined, it took over "taking every opportunity through the commandment producing in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead." (v8)  This reminds me of Adam and Eve in the garden.. until the commandment to not eat of the one tree.. it wasn't a temptation.. but when the command was given, then there was an opportunity to sin.. and they sinned.   It also makes me think of a small child.. who once they are told "No!".. can't seem to stop themselves from doing whatever it was they weren't supposed to do... We can all relate!

The Law that "was to result in life, proved to result in death.. " Paul writes. (v10)  This was not the fault of the Law, Paul continues.. "Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful." (v13)

This becomes a real struggle for every one of us, Paul says.  We want to do what is right, but don't. We don't want to do what is wrong.. but we do. Paul confesses that "the principle that evil is present in me" is the problem.. He wants to keep the Law.. agreeing with God, but he sees "a different law in the members of [his] body, waging war against the law of [his] mind, making [him] a prisoner of the law of sin.. " (v21-23)

This brings about despair.. "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of death?" Paul cries out.. and God answers!  "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (v25) 

Jesus is the answer to our dilemma.  This is why we are to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to Him.  He is our only hope and He died to set us free! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Father in heaven, thank You for revealing sin to us.. for the Light of Your Word that uncovers the depth of sin and the cords of death that it brings to every one of us.  Thank You for showing us grace.. the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ the Lord.. that through His death and resurrection we have been set free.. forgiven.. reconciled.. cleansed.. and made righteous as we  put our faith in Him. Help us to live holy and blameless lives, forever kept in Your Spirit.. walking in Your Truth.. abiding in Jesus always.  We ask this in His Name. Amen.