Romans 7:4 tells us that we must die to the law if we are to bear fruit to God. As Christians we don’t follow the law as the Old Testament defines it, but we often follow the law in another way. That is, the approach we take to changing bad habits in our lives is to manipulate behavior.
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Learning to Walk
• Greg Boyd
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Romans 7:4 tells us that we must die to the law if we are to bear fruit to God. As Christians we don’t follow the law as the Old Testament defines it, but we often follow the law in another way. That is, the approach we take to changing bad habits in our lives is to try and manipulate behavior. Behavior is just the symptom of a deeper problem. In the case of bad habits, the problem is “the flesh”.
The law approach to life is, in fact, counterproductive to change. Not only does it miss the root of the problem, but it can make sick people act as though they are well. That is, the root of the bad behavior is sent into hiding, as a person tries to pretend that no problem exists.
The only thing that changes the heart (and as a by-product, behavior) is to be saturated by a true picture of God. The law stalls change because it clouds a true picture of God.
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Focus Scripture:
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Romans 7:4
So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.
"Thank you all the way from Oregon. I deeply appreciate being shepherded by Pastor Greg and everyone else on the panels. You are a rare find in the church nowadays. Tackling tough questions with humility and a kingdom perspective. It has been life changing for me in such tumultuous times."
– Heather, from Oregon