Dying to the Law: New Life in Christ
I can be really hard on myself sometimes. My wife has told me a thousand times, “You should be more kind to yourself,” or “Cut yourself some slack.” But I’m also a big rule follower. If I see a No Trespassing sign, I won’t go anywhere near the property. If there’s a set of regulations or instructions, I do my best to follow them to the letter. So when I fall short of expectations, especially my own, it’s tough for me to accept. I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself; and when that pressure builds, I usually end up quitting. Not exactly a great formula for success.
Last week, I was reading Romans 7 about our relationship to the law—the rules God has set for us. I’ve read that chapter plenty of times, but this time, something stood out that I’d never really noticed before. Verse 1 says, “Don’t you know that the law only applies to a person who is living?” Paul goes on to explain that while the law has a purpose, it’s not the ultimate goal. It’s not the measuring stick we’re judged by. The goal is to die to the law and be raised to life in Christ through His Spirit. The goal isn’t to be perfect for God; it’s to be in relationship with Him.
So how has this changed my perspective in the past week?
I know I’m going to mess up—it’s inevitable. But God doesn’t call us to be perfect; He calls us to Himself. It’s not about achieving some flawless standard but about drawing close to the One who is the standard. It’s never been about performance; it’s always been about how we respond when we fall short. Do we run to the Father, or do we run away?
You’re going to mess up. You’re going to fall short. The real question is: How dead are you? Will you try to fix it yourself? Will you hide in shame? Or will you run straight to the One who created you just as you are?
Romans 8:1-4 says:
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body, God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.”
JOURNAL: When you feel like you’ve messed up or sinned against God. What is your natural instinct? To run to or away from God?
What do you think God would say if you brought your failures to Him?
PRAYER: Ask God to reveal any blind spots or places in your life that you have kept to yourself or are unknowingly holding on to.
Last week, I was reading Romans 7 about our relationship to the law—the rules God has set for us. I’ve read that chapter plenty of times, but this time, something stood out that I’d never really noticed before. Verse 1 says, “Don’t you know that the law only applies to a person who is living?” Paul goes on to explain that while the law has a purpose, it’s not the ultimate goal. It’s not the measuring stick we’re judged by. The goal is to die to the law and be raised to life in Christ through His Spirit. The goal isn’t to be perfect for God; it’s to be in relationship with Him.
So how has this changed my perspective in the past week?
I know I’m going to mess up—it’s inevitable. But God doesn’t call us to be perfect; He calls us to Himself. It’s not about achieving some flawless standard but about drawing close to the One who is the standard. It’s never been about performance; it’s always been about how we respond when we fall short. Do we run to the Father, or do we run away?
You’re going to mess up. You’re going to fall short. The real question is: How dead are you? Will you try to fix it yourself? Will you hide in shame? Or will you run straight to the One who created you just as you are?
Romans 8:1-4 says:
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body, God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.”
JOURNAL: When you feel like you’ve messed up or sinned against God. What is your natural instinct? To run to or away from God?
What do you think God would say if you brought your failures to Him?
PRAYER: Ask God to reveal any blind spots or places in your life that you have kept to yourself or are unknowingly holding on to.
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