Romans 7:7-8, Sin Exposed by the Law

Romans 7:7-8 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence (lusts, passion). For without the law sin was dead. 

 In the rich young ruler’s encounter with Jesus, he asked, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16) Jesus answered the man, “Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17)

The young man asked which commandment and Jesus said, “18… Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 19:18-19) The young man replied Jesus,“All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” (Matthew 19:20)

Was this a truthful statement? This was the superficial way that the Pharisees have understood concerning the keeping of the law. It was merely an outward, external conforming to the law as long as no man can point an accusing finger, then the standard of keeping the law is met. But keeping the law, Jesus explained involves not just an external conformance to the law, not just an external obedience. He forgot the attitude of the heart. We are to be judged by our thoughts not merely by our actions. God’s standard is infinitely higher than man’s standard.

The commandments were given to show man’s sinfulness. Sin begins in the heart. God is able to read the motives of our heart and judges us by it. And therefore, a deeper assessment reveals that Jesus gave a “loaded” command when He said, “but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. ” A command man cannot attain in his state of depravity. He is incapable of keeping the law by his own strength, in his fallen state.

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me… (Matthew 19:21)

What Jesus did was to rip away this veil or mask of self-righteousness that this young man has and so Jesus begins to talk to this young man about the law — not to show the man that he can be saved by keeping the law, but to tell him just the opposite: that he cannot be saved by keeping the law.

Jesus gave the young man the ultimate test. Jesus knew that this man was covetous. He loved his material wealth. By asking him to sell his all his goods, Jesus was forcing this man to examine his own heart and determine his first love. With all his qualifications, this young man did not truly love God with all his heart. He had an idol in his heart – that is his possessions. This is his god. He clung on to it dearly for his life or may I say for his destruction.

Man in the fallen state is unable to keep the commandments perfectly. In fact, the commandments rebuked him. It shows him how incapable he is to keep it when he makes a truthful assessment by God’s standard. Jesus did not introduce the Law to show the young man how to be saved but to show him that he needed to be saved. The Law is like a mirror that reveals who we are (James 1:22), sinners through and through before we are saved.

The sin nature in man arouses sinful passions or lusts. This was the Apostle Paul’s experience. He was a Pharisee of Pharisees. After being saved, he now understood the purpose of the law. When Jesus quoted the 10th commandment, the law against covetousness, the young man could not keep it. His covetous heart was aroused, his sin of covetousness was exposed. This was why Jesus raised the question of the law to the young man. So that he may realize his sinfulness and repent! Amen.