NEW HUSBAND OR OLD?

 

NEW HUSBAND OR OLD? – ROMANS 7 AND YOUR MARRIAGE TO CHRIST

INTRODUCTION: A DIVINE DIVORCE

"What if I told you God had to legally kill your first husband to set you free for a better love?"

In Romans 7:1-6, Paul drops a bombshell: You were once ‘married’ to the Law—but now you belong to Christ. This isn’t just theology—it’s the key to living in radical freedom. Let’s break it down.

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1. THE OLD HUSBAND: MARRIED TO THE LAW

Baptized into Moses: A Covenant of Works

• 1 Corinthians 10:2 – Israel was "baptized into Moses" (bound to the Law).
• Delivered from Pharaoh… but led to Sinai’s demands.
• The Law could command, but never give life (Galatians 3:21).

BUT HERE’S THE GOSPEL SHIFT:

• Romans 5:6-8 – "Christ died for the ungodly... God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
• Moses couldn’t die for you—he was just a man.
• Jesus became your substitute, fulfilling the Law’s demands for you (Matthew 5:17).

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2. THE DIVORCE: DEATH SET YOU FREE

The Legal Loophole

• Romans 7:2-3: Marriage binds until death.
• God’s Radical Solution:
• You didn’t just get a divorce—your old husband (the Law) died (Romans 7:4).
• How? You died with Christ (Galatians 2:19-20).

"It Is Finished—Move On Victorious!"

• The Law’s demands were fully satisfied at the Cross (John 19:30).
• No more cycles of guilt/shame. You’re free to leave the grave (Romans 6:4).

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3. THE NEW HUSBAND: UNITED TO CHRIST

Bound to the Life-Giving Spirit

• Romans 7:4: "Now you belong to Him who was raised from the dead."
• Christ doesn’t demand—He supplies (John 1:16).
• The Spirit writes God’s laws on your heart (Jeremiah 31:33).
• Fruit flows from intimacy, not obligation (John 15:5).

Baptized into Christ: A Covenant of Grace

Old Covenant (Moses)	New Covenant (Christ)
"Do this and live"	"It is finished— move on!"
Behavior modification	Heart transformation
Leads to condemnation	Leads to liberty (2 Cor. 3:17)

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4. WARNING: DON’T RETURN TO THE GRAVE

• Modern Legalism: Adding rules to grace (e.g., "God only accepts you if…").
• The Temptation: Acting like you’re still married to Moses.
• The Truth: You’re "seated with Christ" (Ephesians 2:6)—stop living like a slave!

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5. HOW TO LIVE AS CHRIST’S BRIDE

1. REST in His finished work (Hebrews 4:10).
2. WALK in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
3. LOVE fiercely—it’s the Law’s fulfillment (Romans 13:10).

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✨ YOUR TURN TO RESPOND

Reflect & Share:

• Have you ever felt torn between two "husbands"—trying to earn grace?
• How has union with Christ changed your view of God’s commands?

Drop a comment below! Your story could unlock someone’s chains.

⚡ "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Corinthians 3:17)