The Law Of Sin And Death

Last Sunday’s sermon was preached by Pastor Harry on “The Law Of Sin And Death” (Romans 7:22 – 8:16; 1 John 1:8 – 2:2). The sermon and the whole service can be watched on our WIC YouTube Channel:

Today’s message should have been called “The Spirit’s Power Within Us, Part Two”. And in actual fact, it will be precisely that, because we’ll be looking some more at the Holy Spirit’s power – but this week in connection with what Paul calls the “law of sin and death”. In fact, in our opening verses from Romans 8, he talks about two laws: the law of sin and death, and the “law of the Spirit”. We can also call them the spirit of satan and the Spirit of Christ. Two eternally opposed spirits.

 

God created us good, the Bible tells us. But at some time in the past, we disobeyed God and went our own way. Actually, the disobedience consisted in not believing God. That’s why, as I said last week, unbelief is the greatest and most basic sin. In the Garden of Eden, the snake says to Eve: “Don’t believe God, when He says you will die, if you eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Of course you won’t die! God’s just kidding!” And she didn’t believe God, and neither did Adam – and as a result, we are all under the law of sin and death. We cannot help sinning, and we cannot help dying. “Who will rescue me?” – it’s not only Paul’s desperate cry, but the cry of many of us, who are serious about our faith. We want to obey God’s laws and commandments – but at the same time, we are still prisoners of the law of sin and death in certain situations, and are scared that we’re heading for destruction. Is any of us totally free from sin? I doubt it – so I’m sure you share my anxiety, even though we have faith.

 

If we read Romans chapter 8 verses 3 and 4 again, Paul says that when Jesus freed us from the law of sin and death, it was so that the “righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us”. That’s difficult to understand. I think it means that Christ died for us so that we can now live righteously, in the power of the Holy Spirit, who makes it possible to live a righteous life, overcoming sin. We have the Spirit’s power to do that. But the possibility of sinning remains – and the question is, what happens then, when we submit to sin?

 

Hopefully, on the slide, you’ll see some verses from the First Letter of John: 1 John chapter 1 verse 8, to chapter 2, verse 2. There it says, that if we do sin, we nevertheless have a helper, who represents us before God. John writes: “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous”.

 

Isn’t that verse a huge relief to those of us who are completely honest with ourselves, and realize just how sinful we still are? John the disciple – a man of love, whom Jesus loved too – is writing to us, God’s children, those who already have the Holy Spirit within them. Maybe the whole world expects us to be free of sin, as Christians. We probably do, as well. But John understands the fallible human nature even of those who have the Spirit. And he says, in 1 John chapter 1, verses 8 and 9: “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves ….. But if we confess our sins to God, He is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness”. What a comfort that is! God will forgive us, if we confess our sins, and will also continue to make us clean of those sins we are still battling with. That’s a promise for the future!

 

The other day, I was reading about a lady who has an amazing dog, called Luke. Luke is an Australian sheep dog, but is totally blind. He was born like that. But it doesn’t stop him from being full of joy and love. He’s very playful, and devoted to his mistress. Last year she had two heart attacks, and was feeling weak and depressed for a long time afterwards. But Luke sensed her feelings, and stayed close to her all the time. Every now and again, he bumps into things – but he doesn’t mind, and takes it all in his stride. The lady also has a cat, and the two pets like to play a little game. The cat sits quietly and waits for Luke to find her. When he finds her, she moves about 2 metres away, and the game starts all over again. Hide and seek. The lady said that Luke taught her a very important lesson: despite all the bumps and knocks we get in life, we shouldn’t let that get us down or drive us to despair; but we should pick ourselves up and move forwards, joyfully, as if nothing had happened – and continue loving other people, and not give in to fear or depression.

 

I mention this story because, if you’re like me, you will despair of your sins. You tell others not to do them – and then commit them yourself, even though you have God, and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit’s power within you! How is that possible?! And yet, John shows us that, not only is it possible, but it’s also certain to happen. And we would be foolish to claim there is no more sin in us.

 

When you fail in life, confess your failings to the Lord in all sorrow and sincerity. But then remember: because of God’s grace in Jesus Christ, He will wipe your slate clean, and remember yesterday’s sin no more. Do your best to move forward in the Holy Spirit’s power given to you, and believe God’s promise for the future: “He will cleanse us from all wickedness”. The important thing is that you cling to Jesus, and never let go. Amen.