Devotion - Monday, March 11

I continue my reading of Romans.  This morning I read the opening 12 verses of Chapter 7.

Paul continues to speak of the Law, and its inability to accomplish what faith is able to do.  The law can only restrain us; never lead us to learn to love.

God desires us to join him, to be one with him, to pledge ourselves to God and God's hopes for the world.  This is not the kind of relationship which develops when we are confined or constrained to act.

While we may not understand the transgression, or list it among those most troubling for us, Paul places coveting at the center of much of our rebellion against God.  We want what we cannot have, so we covet.  We covet for ourselves that which is God's.  This begins when we covet the right or the opportunity to determine our own fate.  We rebel against God and seek to be the masters of our fate.

The law, when made the prime source in our lives, leads us to covet the right to set the rules.  The very purpose of the law is thus lost - we are not more likely to follow God, but to reject God's role.

Think of your relationship with your parents.  As a young child you never questioned their rules or authority.  You simply went along.  Then came that time in your life when you were not so inclined to agree.  There began a season of rebellion and disagreements.  At some point (usually during your college years, but perhaps a few year after) when you and your parents will come to a new understanding.  You will find yourself understanding why they asked of you what they have; they will come to honor your ability to make significant life decisions.  You transition from obedience to unity; you shift from complying with their wishes to a blending of viewpoints. 

This is the relationship Paul encourages us to have with God.  We are not to fear and obey God because God is threatening and overbearing.  We fear and obey God out of respect for His wisdom and His vision for our lives.