I have heard this used many times, it largely is quoted from here:
Rom 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
People will suggest to you that the law itself causes sin. They might not say it in those words. But they are suggesting that they suggest the law causes sin.
But could this be so? Is this what Paul is saying?
First it is easy to see that it is sins not the law that is in our members and brings death. as Paul makes clear here:
Rom 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Rom 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Notice it is sin that is working death not the law. The law revels sin and thus makes sin sinful. But the law itself is holy just and good as Paul most clearly says.
Let us just examine the thought for a second that the law causes sin that some suggest and as we have seen is not said.
You shall not steal is a law in the old testament. But it is also a standard of the Christian faith. how is it then that under the old testament that command causes us to steal while the same command does not cause it today? The answer is simple, the argument is nonsensical.
The law does not cause you to sin. The law simply reveals you are a sinner. Sin existed before the law given by God to Moses.
Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
So it is then clear that the law does not cause sin but reveals sin and yes this realisation makes us guilty and deserving of death. It is only in this sense that the strength of sin is the law. God does not punish for unavoidable ignorance. Thus the law takes us out of ignorance into knowledge of sin and because we are sinners the law condemns us as such.
The law was given because of transgression which simply means it was given because of sin. But Jesus is the answer to our sin problem. He takes away our sins and sanctifies us.
It is the carnal mind that is not subject to the law. But we are not carnal but spiritual who are saved by the blood of Jesus.
Rom 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
People will suggest to you that the law itself causes sin. They might not say it in those words. But they are suggesting that they suggest the law causes sin.
But could this be so? Is this what Paul is saying?
First it is easy to see that it is sins not the law that is in our members and brings death. as Paul makes clear here:
Rom 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Rom 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Notice it is sin that is working death not the law. The law revels sin and thus makes sin sinful. But the law itself is holy just and good as Paul most clearly says.
Let us just examine the thought for a second that the law causes sin that some suggest and as we have seen is not said.
You shall not steal is a law in the old testament. But it is also a standard of the Christian faith. how is it then that under the old testament that command causes us to steal while the same command does not cause it today? The answer is simple, the argument is nonsensical.
The law does not cause you to sin. The law simply reveals you are a sinner. Sin existed before the law given by God to Moses.
Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
So it is then clear that the law does not cause sin but reveals sin and yes this realisation makes us guilty and deserving of death. It is only in this sense that the strength of sin is the law. God does not punish for unavoidable ignorance. Thus the law takes us out of ignorance into knowledge of sin and because we are sinners the law condemns us as such.
The law was given because of transgression which simply means it was given because of sin. But Jesus is the answer to our sin problem. He takes away our sins and sanctifies us.
It is the carnal mind that is not subject to the law. But we are not carnal but spiritual who are saved by the blood of Jesus.