#41 Bound to God, not the law

"But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." Romans 7:6

When we were bound to the law, we served because we had to, because that is what the law said. For example, say you had to become partners in a school project with someone. You didn't really like them, but you had to, in order to complete the project. You were required to get along, so you could work together. But then, after the project was completed, you were no longer required to get along, but suddenly you became good friends. You were no longer required to get along, so then you got along because you liked each other.

This might seem like kind of a silly analogy, but it just goes to show that when you are required to do something, our sinful human nature fights it. When you have to do something, you don't really want to. But if it is no longer a law, then you are under the new code, you serve according to love, not requirement. So when we die to the law that binds us, we are released from the hardships of that law too, and can serve God through the Spirit. Serving God and following his laws is no longer a burden, but it can become a delight.

Lord, this passage might have been somewhat confusing, but You have showed me that serving You can become a delight when it is no longer a burden.