ROMANS 7:7

“What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? Far from it! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COVET.’”

A good teacher is quick to point out a student’s mistakes without making them feel bad about them. We all learn from our mistakes. We learn when we cut that board too short that we should have measured twice and cut once. When we put too much salt in a recipe, we learn to be more careful the next time. These mistakes are not fatal, however. Today in our text we see another teacher, the Law, that pointed out our mistakes to us which eventually pointed us to a Savior.

Over the past verses, Paul has been showing the futility of the Law, but he does not want to give the impression that the Law was useless. On the contrary, it served a special purpose which he points out in this verse. He says he “would not have come to know sin except through the Law.” The Law showed him how to live holy unto God and what to do when he failed. The sacrificial system was meant to appease a just God when men failed Him, which they would undoubtedly did time and time again. So, although the Law could not save them, it served a purpose.

APPLICATION

The Greek word Paul uses for “know” is ginosko. This word is a commonly used verb throughout the New Testament and normally used to speak of a personal knowledge gained through experiencing something. It is the word used in Luke 1:34 when Mary said she had not known a man, meaning she had no personal experience with a man physically. This is a knowledge you gain through life experiences.

For instance, I have knowledge of physical suffering because I have gone through some pretty major health issues (two stem cell transplants in ten years). I could have never been able to explain to another patient how it feels unless I had experienced this firsthand. But now I can. I wish I had never gained that knowledge, but God allowed me to gain it in a way that I will never forget it.

Your knowledge of your need for a Savior is based on your knowledge of your sins. You cannot save yourself. No amount of law-keeping will get you there. That’s what Paul has been saying. But the law and now the Holy Scriptures show us where we fall short. Holy living is hard if we try to do it ourselves. In fact, it’s impossible. But through the knowledge of His Word, we can walk holy before Him. So, get smart – read His Word.

Father God, I am totally dependent on You and Your Word to guide me toward holy living.

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