8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness…10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. (Romans 7:8,10)
Here we see Paul, then Saul, actually coveting obedience to God, making that an end in itself. It wouldn’t be hard to imagine him looking down on others’ lack of zeal, and conversely, start resenting God when things didn’t pan out right in light of his obedience. Apart from knowledge in Christ (Romans 10:2-3), this zeal for God will ultimately, and ironically, cause one to hate God thus leading to death.
We all have a bit of legalism in us. Whenever we fail God too often we think “need to read more Bible, pray longer, ___ more.” We don’t really believe in our removed condemnation (Romans 8:1). And when we forget that love, we will resent God when we follow the law because our obedience won’t come from freedom and pleasure but pride and fear of punishment.
From April 2016 TableTalk (J.D. Greear) and August 21, 2011 Renewal Presby. sermon (Dwight Yoo)
