Romans 7-8: God, Law, and Life
These two chapters wrap up the second section of Romans. 1-4 was about explaining the gospel; 5-8 has been about exploring salvation.
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The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.
Classroom Instructions
Lesson
These two chapters wrap up the second section of Romans. 1-4 was about explaining the gospel; 5-8 has been about exploring salvation.
And to a large degree, the theme is freedom… from death; from sin; now from the Law
Remember Paul’s specific purpose to unify Jews and Gentiles…
Here was the thorniest of the thorny issues: what to do with the Law…
Paul is clear: we are free from it’s direct jurisdiction. 7.4-6 o Raises the question: Is the Law a bad thing?
Rom 7: Law is good but limited
Reflects God’s character.
- Psalm 19 or 119;
- 2 Timothy 3.16
Teaches God’s will.
Identifies sin.
PROBLEM: Cannot accomplish the goal it seeks (because of our weakness) Once again, good but limited; 7 ends not with despair, however, but with hope.
Rom 8: God does what the Law could not do
Through Jesus, God forgives our sins (8.1-4)
Through the Spirit, God regenerates us (8.5-11) and leads us out of sin (8.12ff)
Israel/church parallel –
- Just as God led Israel into the promised Land, he will lead us to new
creation. (8.12-30)
| Israel’s Story of Exodus | Paul’s “Narrative” of Salvation (Rom 5-8) |
|---|---|
| God defeats Pharaoh/Gods of Egypt | Jesus defeats Adam/Sin/Death (Romans 5.12-21) |
| Liberation through waters of Red Sea | Liberation through waters of baptism (Romans 6.1-23) |
| Giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai | Role of Law / Giving of the Spirit (Romans 7.1-8.11) |
| Led through wilderness by pillar/cloud | Guided by the Spirit through the realm of flesh (Romans 8.1-17) |
| Enters (inherits) the Promised Land | Inheritance of liberated new creation (Romans 8.18ff) |
- This is the context for our favorites…
- Romans 8.17–It will be hard, but worth it in the end.
- Romans 8.28–Everything will be redeemed.
- Romans 8.29ff–Nothing can stop God from getting us there.
Romans 7-8: God, Law, and Life Instructions
Lesson
These two chapters wrap up the second section of Romans. 1-4 was about explaining the gospel; 5-8 has been about exploring salvation.
And to a large degree, the theme is freedom… from death; from sin; now from the Law
Remember Paul’s specific purpose to unify Jews and Gentiles…
Here was the thorniest of the thorny issues: what to do with the Law…
Paul is clear: we are free from it’s direct jurisdiction. 7.4-6 o Raises the question: Is the Law a bad thing?
Rom 7: Law is good but limited
Reflects God’s character.
- Psalm 19 or 119;
- 2 Timothy 3.16
Teaches God’s will.
Identifies sin.
PROBLEM: Cannot accomplish the goal it seeks (because of our weakness) Once again, good but limited; 7 ends not with despair, however, but with hope.
Rom 8: God does what the Law could not do
Through Jesus, God forgives our sins (8.1-4)
Through the Spirit, God regenerates us (8.5-11) and leads us out of sin (8.12ff)
Israel/church parallel –
- Just as God led Israel into the promised Land, he will lead us to new
creation. (8.12-30)
| Israel’s Story of Exodus | Paul’s “Narrative” of Salvation (Rom 5-8) |
|---|---|
| God defeats Pharaoh/Gods of Egypt | Jesus defeats Adam/Sin/Death (Romans 5.12-21) |
| Liberation through waters of Red Sea | Liberation through waters of baptism (Romans 6.1-23) |
| Giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai | Role of Law / Giving of the Spirit (Romans 7.1-8.11) |
| Led through wilderness by pillar/cloud | Guided by the Spirit through the realm of flesh (Romans 8.1-17) |
| Enters (inherits) the Promised Land | Inheritance of liberated new creation (Romans 8.18ff) |
- This is the context for our favorites…
- Romans 8.17–It will be hard, but worth it in the end.
- Romans 8.28–Everything will be redeemed.
- Romans 8.29ff–Nothing can stop God from getting us there.