Romans 7:1-6: Part 1

Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? 2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. 3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress. 4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. (Romans 7:1-6)

Yesterday was Labor Day, which means that along with a little barbecuing, some family time, and (at least in my home) the US Open, there was the annual Jerry Lewis telethon. Its not that I don’t have any heart for “Jerry’s kids,” but I have an almost impulsive repugnance for telethons. And I don’t just mean Jerry’s telethon. I pretty much despise all telethons in every form they come in. They generally provoke from me audible groans and sighs. Until recently I hadn’t given a lot of thought why this is, but then I realized the issue. Telethons are about the law.

Telethons and the Law. The universal strategy of telethons are as follows. First, explain to people what they should do (i.e. give their money to this obviously worthy cause). Second, keep them off balance by reminding them of their moral superiority one instant and then piling up layers of guilt in the next. “Americans are the most giving people in the world,” we’re told. Then we’re shown some tear jerker of a story and asked, “How can you not give to help X?” Subtext: “You are good enough to give what is necessary, and you’re an incredible jerk if you don’t do it.”

Universal Strategy of Law Alone. Such methodology should not surprise us. It’s what every charity, parent, teacher, etc. uses to push those in their sphere of influence to do the right thing. But this message is the message of the law. Here’s what I mean. God’s law by itself simply provides us with commands, rules, and instructions. The law is not bad in and of itself, as Paul makes clear later in Romans 7. But ripped from the story of God’s saving work, the law merely leaves us with a command and the implicit expectation that we can and should keep it. Does such a strategy work? Paul’s answer, and I think any deep thinking persons answer, is a resounding “no.” Living under the law produces the fruit of death (7:5).

The Delusion of Obedience. That seems a little bit extreme especially considering the fact that telethons raise millions of dollars every year. But they do so because salving our conscience with a small monetary gift is relatively easy. We can walk away assured that we are better people. But are we better? Or has our gift simply created a delusion of goodness that blinds us from our real problems. My marriage may be wreck. I may say spiteful things every day to my spouse. But obviously I’m not the problem. I give to Jerry’s kids. That takes some heart and real love. My wife just doesn’t see the good in me. How can I not get frustrated with her. So does the contribution reveal my goodness, or does it simply provide a rationale for my own anger and bitterness? Thinking these thoughts may be a little disturbing, but once we start down this path we are heading in the right direction.