April 5, Romans 7
Do you remember my remark about the human family’s favorite math symbol? It was the “greater than” sign. What’s the master communicator’s favorite punctuation mark? I’m no master communicator, but I do admire (and imitate) their methods. That’s why this and many other essays in this book begin with questions. The question mark is the effective teacher’s best friend. What do scientists in the lab, researchers in the library, detectives at the scene of a crime and good communicators all have in common? They use questions to guide their thinking. Why is this powerful little squiggle so helpful to teachers? A teacher has the additional responsibility of bringing others along on the journey. Can you see how a question mark looks like a hook? It also acts like one, snagging your attention and pulling you along. A good teacher asks question to engage and influence the audience.
That little Q&A was somewhat heavy-handed, but not much more than Paul’s use of questions in Romans. How many questions can you find in the chapters we’ve covered? Paul introduces new subjects, makes complex arguments and answers anticipated objections, all with questions. In today’s portion, he shows his readers how they’re free from the law by asking them about marriage. He explains how the law that promises life brings death when it arouses desire within our flesh. He takes us deep inside the conflicted thinking process of a person who knows, but doesn’t always do what is right. And he guides us along this challenging itinerary by posing questions.
When Paul asks, “Don’t you know…I am speaking to those that know the law,” he starts where his readers are, using what they know to build a bridge to where he wants them to go. If they understand that death ends a marriage and the survivor is free to remarry, they can understand how when they died with Christ in baptism, they were freed from the law when they were raised with him. The law (holy and good in itself) makes us aware of sin, and appeals to our desire to do wrong. The conflict comes from our dual nature—our flesh wants what it wants, and our spirit wants to do right. Paul called it a war, with one side fighting to capture and dominate the other. Commentators disagree about whether Paul is confessing this about himself, or just explaining how it works. Either way, we understand, because it’s going on in our own lives.
Paul poses one final question to ease the tension and point from wretchedness to blessedness: “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” And he points to the ultimate answer: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Over all the questions, Paul proclaims Jesus as the answer. How do we win this conflict? It is not through knowing all the answers to all the questions. We find victory in knowing the one who is the answer. Do you know him?
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly
Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—April 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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