Sin deceives and kills us. Jesus has conquered sin and death.

Romans 7:10-11 and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. Sin kills us, just like it did Paul. It takes opportunity through the commandments of God to deceive us. How does sin deceive us through the commandment? If we think back to the example of Adam and Eve, we remember that Eve was deceived by sin. 1 Timothy 2:14 “And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.” First, Satan twisted the command of God. “And he said to the woman, ‘Indeed, has God said, “You shall not eat from any tree of the garden”’?” Second, he lied, misrepresented God, and deceived Eve into sin saying, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3:4-5). Had there been no commandment, Satan and Eve may have had a conversation, but there would have been nothing to use to deceive her and entice her into sin. Without the Law or the commandment, there could be no sin. But once sin comes to life, it is murderous. Sin deceives us and kills us. Paul’s argument was to convince his readers of the glorious work of Jesus Christ as He died and was raised according to the Scriptures. He released them (and us) from the Law in order to deliver them (and us) from the power of sin. There is no obligation of the flesh (or natural man) to the Law because the flesh was crucified with Christ and the Law was satisfied. This was accomplished by God so we could receive the free gift of eternal life and thus live in newness of life through Jesus Christ, who lives in us. This great gospel truth is the foundation for living to love with Jesus. There would be no “with Jesus” if God had not given us eternal life in Christ, we would never, ever believe in Jesus and look to Him for the power to love those He puts in our paths. Living with Jesus, we have everything that we need for godliness and for loving. We have His life, His mind, His heart, His faith, His power, and His love dwelling in our mortal bodies, filling us with eternal life. Does that encourage you? I hope so. Jesus has conquered sin and death, which had deceived and killed you. You are now free to pour out the love of God in this world for His glory. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com