Devotion 6.25.26
Romans 7
"1 Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives?
4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.
7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness."
Time heals all wounds. So the old adage goes.
Larry Dierker, the manager of the Astros in the 1990's, played baseball at an early age (18) for the same organization, and when he was done playing, he became a baseball announcer and writer. He once wrote on Pete Rose, who had just been banned from baseball on his gambling. Back in the day before the internet, you had these guys called "bookies," who were guys who would be your gambling contact. To make "book" (to place a bet), you read your sport's upcoming events, called him and asked him to book your bet or wager on the event. Dierker wrote that Rose, sometimes still in uniform, ran to the nearest payphone openly to make his bet(s). He said he was as aggressive on that as he was on the field of baseball. Everyone knew he wagered. Everyone knew he gambled on everything. One day, it caught up to him after he managed the game, and he got banned.
Recently, our current US president entered the conversation to see if he might persuade the commissioner of baseball to lift the ban under the notion that it's for life. With Rose's death, is the punishment - the ban - still applicable? It worked. Now we see if the writers will place Rose in the Hall (doubtful). Rose was as disliked by players in his era as he felt he was by the commissioner (in a separate article I once read, "Charlie Hustle" - Rose's nickname - was given to him by Mickey Mantle and was derogatory).
Should Rose be forgiven and sent to the Hall since his numbers are incredible. or did the weight of his violation of the rules of the game and his obstinance still rule him out today? Greater minds are around to solve these issues. My own opinion is Shoeless Joe has been denied entry a lot longer and deserves consideration first, so Rose can wait.
The contentious issue in Paul's time is since we are saved, is the law still relevant? Paul's answer, in short, is yes, it absolutely is! It points out our sin. It points us to Christ. The freedom given by our simple salvation, faith alone in Christ, created significant questions then and now.
Does the law still apply? Yes. The law is meant to give us mirrors to reflect on our behavior and attitude and to give us curbs to stay between as people of God. Since we are in a state of forgiveness, does that mean we can live a life full of sin and enjoy? No, that is the wrong attitude with consequences.
Christ tells us of the importance of the law in Luke 12, the Parable of the Rich Fool: "19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
God intends for us to be active daily in seeking the lost who do not know him. We are to love God's Word, his statutes, laws, precepts and testimonials (Psalm 119) and seek his forgiveness daily. We are to actively share this love of God's Word and tell of the redemption we have in Christ.
Pray for a right attitude towards God's Word, both his law and his message of salvation from sin, death, and evil/Satan. Pray to focus on the message of salvation and to seek forgiveness daily. Pray that we share this message to the lost - all the lost - in our communities and throughout the world.
Amen
Hope Men's Ministry is a ministry in service to Hope Lutheran Church and School. Our purpose is to grow, unite, and share God's Word to all men through meaningful activities. These activities center on fellowship, service, conversation, prayer, study and devotion as we seek to become men of God as He created us to be.