“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” (Romans 7:12, KJV)

ABSTRACT

Amidst the relentless tug-of-war within the human soul between good intentions and sinful impulses, as vividly portrayed in Paul’s confessions in Romans 7, this article delves into the law’s role as a revealing mirror that exposes our flaws and convicts us of our need for redemption, its purpose in guiding us toward a Savior rather than self-earned salvation, the crucial distinction between the enduring moral law and the fulfilled ceremonial law, and how these divine principles ultimately manifest God’s boundless love by directing us to Christ for forgiveness, transformation, and harmonious living.

INTERNAL CONFLICT BLASTS!

Paul’s words in Romans 7 paint a vivid picture of our internal conflict. He says, “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I” (Romans 7:15). Paul exposes the frustration when our desires clash with our actions. Galatians 5:17 captures this tension: “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” James 4:1 probes the source: “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” In Steps to Christ we read, “The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought” (Steps to Christ, p. 43, 1892). Through inspired counsel we are told, “The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness” (Steps to Christ, p. 43, 1892). This resonates with the feelings of frustration and helplessness we often experience. It’s like we’re fighting a battle against ourselves! We want to do good, but something inside pulls us in the opposite direction. This struggle is real. I know this because I feel it, too. It is like being caught in a riptide, desperately trying to swim to shore but being pulled further out to sea. The internal conflict described by Paul is a universal human experience, but how does Paul know he’s doing bad?

MIRROR OF LAW REVEALS!

So, how does Paul know he’s doing bad? He uses God’s law as his measuring stick. “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:” (Romans 7:22). God’s law reflects our true condition like a flawless mirror. Romans 7:7 unveils this function: “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.” Romans 3:20 declares plainly: “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.” A passage from Selected Messages reminds us, “The Law of God reaches to those secret purposes, which, though they may be sinful, are often passed over lightly, but which are in reality the basis and the test of character. It is the mirror into which the sinner is to look if he would have a correct knowledge of his moral character” (Selected Messages Book 1, p. 219, 1958). The inspired pen notes, “Looking into the moral mirror,—God’s holy law,—man sees himself a sinner, and is convicted of his state of evil, his hopeless doom under the just penalty of the law” (The Signs of the Times, p. 3, 1892). The law acts like a mirror. It shows us our flaws. It reveals our shortcomings. It’s a tough reality to face, isn’t it? “The law of God is a transcript of His character. It is the expression of His love, His justice, and His will” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 52, 1896). This quote from Ellen G. White highlights the law’s role as a reflection of God’s perfect nature. The law isn’t just a list of rules. It’s a reflection of God’s character. We as humans fall short. The law convicts us of sin, showing our need for change. “The law is presented to us to show what God requires, and to convict of sin” (Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 234, 1958). The law helps us see that we need a Savior, and this is true for all of us, no matter our background or belief. The law serves as a guide and a standard of righteousness, but what central role do the Ten Commandments play in this understanding?

LAW’S PURPOSE POWERS!

The Ten Commandments are central to this understanding. “The law is holy, just, and good. It points out sin and shows the need of a Saviour” (Steps to Christ, p. 23, 1892). God declares the law’s intent to shape holiness. Psalm 19:7 affirms: “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” 1 Timothy 1:8-9 explains: “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers.” A prophetic voice once wrote, “God had revealed the purpose of the law when He declared to Israel, ‘Ye shall be holy men unto Me’” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 46, 1896). In Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing we read, “His mission was to ‘magnify the law, and make it honorable’” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 49, 1896). Even as we, though we are not under the law for salvation, we still strive to follow its principles. The key here is that it’s not about earning our way to heaven. It’s about living a life that reflects God’s character. We aim to love, be just, and walk humbly with our God. It’s a journey, not a destination. It’s like trying to follow a map. We may get lost sometimes, but the map still shows us the right way. Following the law is about reflecting God’s character, not earning salvation, but how does the ceremonial law differ in its purpose?

CEREMONIAL VS MORAL CLASH!

The ceremonial law, on the other hand, served a different purpose. “The ceremonial law was a schoolmaster to bring the Israelites to Christ. It was designed to awaken in them a sense of their sinfulness and their need of a Saviour” (Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 237, 1958). The ceremonial system pointed forward while the moral code endures eternally. Colossians 2:14 describes fulfillment: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” Hebrews 10:1 highlights shadows: “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” Through inspired counsel we are told, “The moral law never led a man to Christ and left him. It always stays with him” (The Law in the Book of Galatians, p. 53, 1886). A passage from The Law in the Book of Galatians reminds us, “The language unmistakably refers to the Mosaic law, and cannot by any possibility be twisted to refer to the moral law” (The Law in the Book of Galatians, p. 73, 1886). This distinction is crucial. It helps us see that while the moral law remains relevant, the ceremonial law was fulfilled in Christ. The Apostle Paul writes, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). The ceremonial law pointed to Christ. Now, we look directly to Him. We see this distinction playing out in our churches today. Some focus on outward rituals, while others emphasize the inner transformation that comes from a relationship with Christ. The moral law remains relevant, while the ceremonial law was fulfilled in Christ, but how do these concepts reflect God’s love?

GOD’S LOVE SHINES THROUGH LAW!

How do these concepts reflect God’s love? The law, while revealing our shortcomings, ultimately points to God’s immense love for us. “The law of God is a transcript of His character. It is the expression of His love, His justice, and His will” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 52, 1896). God’s law guides us lovingly toward redemption. Romans 13:10 proclaims: “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:8 urges: “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” Sr. White emphasizes, “Through Christ our Heavenly Father is made known as the God of love” (The Signs of the Times, p. 5, 1893). A prophetic voice once wrote, “Christ came to the world, and in carrying out the plan of salvation, revealed the fact that ‘God is love’” (The Signs of the Times, p. 9, 1893). This demonstrates that the law is not a tool of condemnation, but rather a revelation of God’s nature. Furthermore, “The law is holy, just, and good. It points out sin and shows the need of a Saviour” (Steps to Christ, p. 23, 1892). This highlights that the law’s purpose is to guide us towards redemption, a clear reflection of God’s love in action. In essence, by showing us our need for a Savior, the law directs us to Christ, the ultimate expression of God’s love. God’s love is like a lighthouse, guiding ships safely to shore. Just as a lighthouse warns of danger and provides direction, the law illuminates our sin and guides us to the safety of God’s grace. The law, by revealing our need for a Savior, ultimately reflects God’s profound love, but how can we apply this in our daily lives?

FINAL CALL TO GRACE!

The struggle described in Romans 7 is a universal human experience. We see it in the daily news, in the struggles of our neighbors, and in our own hearts. The law, while exposing our flaws, also reveals God’s love and points us to the solution found in Christ. Micah 6:8 directs: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Deuteronomy 6:5 commands: “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” In The Great Controversy we read, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (The Great Controversy, p. 477, 1911). Through inspired counsel we are told, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (The Great Controversy, p. 469, 1911). The law isn’t meant to condemn us. It’s meant to lead us to the solution. And that solution is Jesus Christ. His sacrifice offers us the forgiveness and strength we need. It’s like finding an oasis in the desert. Just when we’re parched and weary, we find refreshment and hope. I find solace in knowing that Christ understands my struggles and offers me grace. We, as a community, can support each other in this journey, encouraging one another to live lives that reflect God’s love. Let us strive to live lives that honor Him, not out of obligation, but out of gratitude for His incredible love.

For more articles, please go to http://www.faithfundamentals.blog or our podcast at: https://rss.com/podcasts/the-lamb.

If you have a prayer request, please leave it in the comments below. Prayer meetings are held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. To join, enter your email address in the comments section.

Search

Search

SELF-REFLECTION

How can I immerse myself more fully in Romans 7’s depiction of inner conflict during my quiet times, letting it reveal areas needing surrender to Christ?

How can we convey the law’s mirroring role and distinctions between moral and ceremonial aspects clearly to varied listeners, preserving depth while sparking personal application?

What frequent misunderstandings about the law’s convicting purpose and love-reflecting nature exist among us, and how might Scripture alongside Sr. White’s guidance address them with grace?

How can we as a community embody the law’s guidance in daily actions, supporting one another through struggles with sin toward lives radiating God’s redemptive love?