Another Law

Another Law

As disciples of Jesus, we can hear a powerful “Come!” when we listen to the truths of the gospel being preached. We sense that it appeals to us and awakens a deep longing in us. There is nothing we want more than to grow in God, so that He may increase and we may decrease. Through the gospel, we receive faith that this very thing can be fulfilled. When it comes to the will or desire of a disciple, there is just one thing: to do what is good, what pleases Jesus, and what is perfect to Him. It might even succeed for a while. We can feel that things are “under control” and that we are able to be good, by God’s power, to the extent that we understand. But then we encounter life’s situations and must shamefully admit that we weren’t really as holy as we thought. In a difficult moment, the words slipped out. According to our “mind”—or our will—our desire was to be good and warm, but instead, harsh words came out, completely contrary to that. We were too abrupt and direct, and so on. Paul also discovered this phenomenon and called it “another law in the members.” He wrote as follows:

“For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Rom. 7:22-23.

This “other law” he writes about is like an inner, innate force that works in our nature against our will. Now we who want to do what is good can ask ourselves: Are we able to acknowledge, at the same time, that we have another law working in our members— a law that wars against the law in our minds? The law of sin that is in us came into our awareness, and we saw more of the reality of the truth. Then we come into need. There is a sorrow over the fact that we did not understand it better. Chastening comes upon us, which in turn puts us more in our proper place. We need to humble ourselves and become small and poor in our own eyes. This is the correct place for us to be. From this place the Lord can help us.

“‘For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise,’ says the Lord; ‘I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.’” Ps. 12:5. He arises and stands up because He is so keenly interested in us. His heart burns to save everyone who has it in this way.

Let us purify our souls in obedience to the truth. Let us be aware that we carry the law of sin in our members, that we have sin. Then we will also be able to guard ourselves. Then we will become more cautious in how we interact with others. We will act more in accordance with what pleases God, both in goodness and severity, in our various situations. We do this in a way that we can please Him and thus become useful instruments in His hand. At the same time, the cleansing takes place in secret as we gradually get to see more. Jesus’ death is active when we hate sin and refuse to let it live. This death makes no noise or commotion, but is a process that takes place quietly and peacefully, so that others can be shielded from all of it. A disciple’s goal is to become like his master. If you are longing for this, then you have a standing invitation from our dear Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, to do just that. Let us lay hold of this with all our hearts!