Contemplation of the Law
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Cor. 15:55-57
On April 7, 2002 the choir of the Trinity Presbyterian Church sang Handel's “O Death Where is Thy Sting” followed by “But Thanks be to God” as part of their spring cantata. The line that I could not get out of my head after that concert was “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.” I kept singing it over and over in my mind. What did Paul mean by that phrase? Finally, I went to the scriptures and did a little research.
If we go to his letter to the Romans, which was probably written while in prison, and shortly before his probable execution, we find some answers. In Romans 7:7 he asks the burning question: “Is the law sin?” He answers his own question, “By no means.” Like any good teacher, he uses an example; He uses the 10th commandment as his example: He says, “I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.'” We know from our own experience that the more we are told we shouldn't do something, the more we want to do it. That has been our struggle since we were children.
What does this all have to do with death? Paul deals with this question by giving a sort of personification to sin. He says, because of the law, sin came to life, and the consequent sin caused him to die. The law, which should have brought him life, actually brought death. Then he goes on to describe the warfare that takes place within him as he tries to deal with sin. He says that he does those things he should not do, but doesn't do what he should do. Finally, Paul cries out in desperation: “Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”
As he continues his discourse, he refers to the law of the old covenant as, “The law of sin and death.” But then he goes on to describe a new law that he calls “The law of the Spirit in Jesus Christ.” He concludes: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”
By what process are we freed from this slavery to sin and death? Paul gives us the answer, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.” There you are; According to Paul, it is through Jesus' resurrection that sin and death have met their defeat. "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"
Now, if we are no longer slaves to sin, who are we? Paul puts it this way: But you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Wow! That's quite a promotion! From slave to heir. Just like the father of the Prodigal Son, God says to us, “No, you will not be my slave, but you will again be my son.” But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
My purpose is two-fold in writing this piece. The teacher in me could not resist the opportunity to try and explain a conundrum from the writings of Paul. His writings are full of them. The other purpose is to suggest that rather than fighting those fragments of songs that go round and round in our heads, use them to some purpose. You might:
- Use them as a basis of study as I did here.
- Use them as a sort of “mantra” to help you focus on God. By constantly repeating the fragment of song, we allow God to speak to us. In our praying, we often do too much speaking.
- Use them as a source of finding solace, strength, joy, or whatever other need you find in your life. Let the fragment of song speak to your need, whatever it is.
In other words; don't fight these repetitions, for they could be the Spirit speaking to you.
Prayer:We thank you, God, for giving us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. We also thank you for using our songs to nudge us toward a fuller understanding of you. Continue to use your Spirit to move us towards the fuller life in Jesus Christ. Amen
Copyright © Jay D Weaver - April 9, 2002
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