Romans 7 shows us that Grace is amazing and outrageous.
Paul explains using the illustration of a marriage.
Mr Law
Fine and perfect man.
• Always right
• Austere with complete authority over his wife
• Never lifts a finger to help but is always right
• You can’t argue with him because you know he is right
• Marks you out of 10, but never a 10
• Is in excellent health and will live for a long time
Mrs Law
• An ordinary woman
• Married to Mr Law for years and wants to please him by her performance
• Mrs Law works very hard
Relationship
• Mrs Law says she will be home at 11.00 but when she’s late, Mr Law stands at the door pointing to his watch and says “you’re 5 minutes late.” Mrs Law feels small and condemned.
• Sometimes Mr Law goes to the wedding venue. When it gets busy Mrs Law asks him to help behind the bar. Mr Law says he is not insured to work there so won’t help.
• Mr Law marks Mrs Law out of 10. Often it is only a 5, sometimes a 7 and on the odd occasion 0. Mrs Law feels small, guilty and condemned.
• Mr Law calls her his little Sinner
• Mrs Law begins to loath her husband because he is always right but never lifts a finger to help her
Mrs Law meets Mr Grace
Mr Grace
• Is gentle and humble
• Wants to share his life with Mrs Law
• Is prepared to help her with her burdens
• Wants her to have the best in life
• Wants her to be fruitful in all she does
• Shows his love for her in giving her gifts
• Loves her because of who she is
Relationship
• She is now married to Mr Grace
• When she is home at 11.05 not 11.00 he makes her a cup of tea and asks her how her day has been
• When Mr Grace come to work with her, he sees her struggling, he gets involved and serves her and the guests
• When she asks how she can improve her business he gives her ideas and constructive comments
• Mr Grace calls her his beloved one even when she screws up
• She loves Mr Grace.
• She will do anything for him
The theological Mr Law – see Romans 7:1-6
The new relationship
• Our relationship to the Law: the law will not pass away so we must die to the Law. It is still perfect and right, but is the Old Covenant.
• We are is released from the relationship with the law by dying to the law when we are baptized. We are now in the New Covenant.
• Jesus the bridegroom left heaven to die for us so we can be saved from the marriage to the Law whether we are male or female.
• Jesus shares his life with us. He showers us with spiritual and material blessings.
• He listens to us and intercedes for us day and night
• He works alongside us and has wonderful plans for us
• He could not do this when we are married to the law. Mr Law can only say what is right or wrong
• Mr Law was impotent. Christ is fruitful.
When we live with an intimate relationship, we hear his voice when we read his word.
2 Corinthians 5 17
Romans 8 v 1 and 2
• You have a new husband/wife
• You are no longer judged by your performance
Questions
1. Why would you go back to trying to impress Mr Law? Are you free from him?
2. When we try to impress Jesus with our performance we are back with Mr Law. It’s like committing spiritual adultery!
3. If that is you, what is the way back to Mr Grace?
4. Does he call you Sinner now? No! Why should you label yourself that way? He calls you his beloved. He calls you by name. What name does He call you by?
5. You sin but your new husband is quick to forgive and keeps no record of your mistakes. Look at Romans 7 v 21-25 and discuss how you now relate to Mr Grace having left Mr Law.
6. Do we shout at those married to Mr Law and call them sinners? They are but be a friend to them and call them to meet a better husband called Mr Grace. Pray for someone and wisdom of how to app
