Pilfered Cookies

I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. (Romans 7:7-10, 13, NIV 1984).

My Musings – It all comes down to “pilfered cookies,” to the forbidden fruit. “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.” (Genesis 3:6, NIV 1984). We are drawn to the things we should not have. They appear good, but what is really good are the laws that say do not eat, do not “pilfer,” do not covet, “in order that sin might be recognized as sin.”

My Advice – If we desire to have a relationship with God we first must know what is forbidden by and inconsistent with His nature. The “do nots.” Unfortunately, the do nots are our downfall, because we cannot keep from doing. Until we realize and accept that, we are not in a position to understand that our only hope is grace.

Author: thebrewisamusing

I was raised in a Christian family and my earliest childhood memories include regular Sunday school and Church attendance as a family. I was taught that our Judeo-Christian values were not just a part of our Sunday routine they should be part of our character and influence all aspects of our lives. I was also taught that as important as these values were they could not save us. We must also be “born again” by accepting Christ. View all posts by thebrewisamusing