An Interview with the Apostle Paul

An Interview with the Apostle Paul
Words of Faith 9-7-2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2021
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Romans 7

    [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.
    [13] Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

Interviewer: So, Paul, from what you have said thus far, are we to infer that the Law of God is sin?

Paul: Oh my, no. No, not at all.  

Interviewer: Then, just what are you saying?

Paul: I actually treasure the Law as much as any Jew. For without the Law, I would never have known the truth-- that I am a sinner!

Interviewer: How is that?

Paul: Most sin is so much a part of us that we don't even know it. Our culture around us in the world will not identify sin. For example, I would not even have known what covetousness was except that the Law said: "Do not covet."

Interviewer: So, the Law simply reveals the truth of sin?

Paul: Yes, but it is much more than that. Sin comes to life in the presence of the Law. It is as if the Law antagonizes the sin within me. Sin is attracted to the opportunity afforded by the command of God. That is the rebellious nature of sin!

Interviewer: Are you saying that the Law causes sin?

Paul: No, not at all. The Law is holy, righteous, and good, but it attracts sin and, in so doing, brings death to me.  

Interviewer: So, does the Law cause death?

Paul: Not exactly. But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment, sin might become utterly sinful.


Interviewer: And how was that helpful?

Paul: Only when I was able to confront my utter sinfulness was I then able to accept the free gift of God's grace in Christ Jesus.   

Interviewer: Well, that is about all the time we have today with the Apostle Paul.

Paul: Wait a minute.

Interviewer: Yes? Pardon me. We are about to go off the air.

Paul: How about you?

Interviewer: Me?

Paul: Yes, you. Have you accepted the free gift of God's grace in Christ Jesus?

Interviewer: You know, you have asked the one really important question.
 
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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)        
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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