Open:
Does information alone lead to transformation? Explain your answer.
How does Biblical truth become transformation (growing in Christlikeness) when applied in a life lived in the realm of the Holy Spirit’s power?
Objective:
The objective is to understand that the life God has for us is a life of relationship with Him. The law of God simply describes life as God has designed it to be lived. It’s the gospel that empowers that kind of life. The gospel provides the way for a relationship with God, as well as the ongoing power to live that relationship.
Read:
Romans 7:7-12,
7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
Study
Focus on verses 7-12. Find everything you can about the goodness of the law and discuss.
In these same verses, what limitations do you see to what the law can accomplish?
What influence has God’s law had on you?
What is the basis for spiritual power?
Apply:
Living the “normal Christian life” very often seems quite abnormal, but the truth is that, as believers, we live a life of ongoing victory.
Read over the four important ideas listed below and think about the implication and application for your life personally:
- Remember the “already/not yet” reality of our salvation and our situation in regard to sin and victory over sin.
-We have ready access to power for victory; we do not always access it.
- We have to train for godliness, not just try to be good.
-We have and we are habitualizing certain thoughts, feelings, actions.
-We are responsible for those habits because we are told to choose what we think about and what we practice doing.
- We have to pay attention to the indicative and choose to live in the imperative; both the indicative and the imperative are real and true for us.
- We do need to obey God.
-We are not under law, but under grace.
-We are not saved by our own efforts.