Moment of Meditation: Death by Commandment (Romans 7:8)

Original Broadcast: September 2010

Monthly Theme: Ninth Commandment

But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire.
(Romans 7:8)

Death by Commandment

We rightfully relate death to sin. Rightfully so, but what about sin's relationship to God's commandments? Of course sin is the breaking of the commandments. But St. Paul regards the common frailty of humanity in the seventh chapter of his epistle to Rome. Whenever he wants to do good, evil is always there. He never seems to get ahead.

He goes on to say, "The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me" (v10). Trying to fulfill the commandments proves to be death to everyone. We try to keep the commandments, but we see that we continue falling short. But that's why Jesus came.

He kept the Law completely and perfectly. He did it for you because you cannot do it yourself. He gives you His righteousness. He came to make you righteous so that you might enter His kingdom and spend eternity in Heaven.

He took away your sin. He took away your death. He gives you life and immortality through faith. Amen.