experience under the law."

This assertion came like a thunderclap from a clear sky. Peter Newby
saw, at once, the significance of the statement, and he shifted
uneasily in his seat. He riveted his eyes to the text, in an effort to
discover some point that would be in opposition to Robert's statement.
The crowd looked open-mouthed. This was a new doctrine--they had never
heard it explained that way. The interest was intense.

Continuing, Robert said: "This is made plain by the first few verses
of the chapter. Please notice them--'Know ye not, brethren, (for I
speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over
a man as long as he liveth?' Then he shows in the verses following
that Christians have 'become dead to the law' through Christ, and that
they are married to Christ, and bring forth fruit unto God. 'But now
we are delivered from the law,' says Paul.

"His whole argument, down to and including verse 6, is that we have
died to the law through crucifixion with Christ, and are therefore
free to marry another. We have become dead to the law, and since death
dissolves the marriage vow, we are, therefore, free from connection
with the law, and are joined unto Christ. Beginning with verse 14 to
the end of the chapter, is given an explanation of how Paul's sinful
nature brought him into subjection to its demands. It is a clear
testimony of an honest man's experience under the old law. By that law
he became aware of sin and felt its sinfulness, yet that law brought
no grace nor power to preserve him from violating its prohibitions. He
desired to do good, but could not. Sin came to life and slew him. Paul
was condemned by the law, and yet he could not come from under the
condemnation. He was, so to speak, tied or married to a dead body, a
law or master which brought death, and he wondered where deliverance
would come from. 'Thank God,' he says, 'it will come through Jesus
Christ the Lord.'

"This cannot be the experience of Christians," said Robert. "If you
will just look at the second verse of chapter 8, you will find these
words: 'For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me
free from the law of sin and death.' And verse 3 says, 'For what the
law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending
his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, [or by a
sacrifice for sin] condemned sin in the flesh,' and verse 4 states:
'That the righteousness of the law might