Podcast Summary: Renewing Your Mind

Episode: Freed from the Law

Date: October 12, 2025
Host: Ligonier Ministries
Speaker: Dr. R.C. Sproul

Brief Overview

In this episode, Dr. R.C. Sproul introduces Romans 7, focusing on what it means for Christians to be "freed from the law." Rather than abolishing the law, Paul teaches that believers, through union with Christ in His death and resurrection, are released from the law as a means of salvation. Sproul breaks down Paul's analogy of marriage, the continuing purpose of the law, and addresses misunderstandings about Christian liberty—emphasizing that freedom from the law's curse does not equate to lawlessness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Analogy of Marriage and Death

• Text Referenced: Romans 7:1-6
• Paul uses the analogy of a married woman being bound by the law to her husband only while he lives; if he dies, she is free to remarry.
• Key Insight: "It's not that your spouse has died, but you have died. And notice that Paul does not say that the law has died, but you're the one who has died." (R.C. Sproul, 04:36)
• In Christ, believers have "died," therefore their "marriage" (allegiance) to the law as a condemning authority is ended.

2. What Law is Paul Referring To?

• Sproul contends Paul is not limiting his reference to the Mosaic or ceremonial law; he means "the whole of the moral law of God, not just that which was given by Moses, not just that which is found in the ceremonies of the Old Testament." (06:52)
• The moral law has applied to humanity since creation and is revealed also in nature and conscience.

3. The Law’s Condemnation and Christ’s Fulfillment

• In Christ, believers have "died" to the law’s demands for salvation.
• “He has taken the full weight of the curse of the law upon himself, so that we are no longer with that burden on our backs. And because we died with him, we died to the law as a way of salvation.” (08:55)
• Christians are not justified by works of the law but by faith in Christ.

4. Does Freedom from the Law Mean License to Sin?

• Sproul warns against the idea that being freed from the law grants a license to sin or means the law itself is bad.
• “This doesn't mean that this gives us a license to sin. That since we're freed from the dominion of the law, freed from the curse of the law, we're not underneath the burden of the law. That doesn't mean that the law is a bad thing. We're supposed to despise the law.” (11:01)

5. The Depth of Human Guilt and the Mirror of the Law

• Sproul highlights how the law exposes our inability to keep God's greatest command—to love Him and neighbor—echoing Martin Luther’s torment and humility over his lack of love.
• “Have you ever lost sleep because you failed to keep the great commandment? ... It was killing Luther.” (14:51)
• Memorable Reference: “The craziest thing you could ever do is to try to work your way into heaven.” (16:57)
• Hymn Quoted: "Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling..." (Augustus Toplady, 17:31)

6. Calvin’s Three Uses (Functions) of the Law

(20:00–27:00)

• First Use: Reveals God’s character and our unholiness; the law is a mirror.
  • "The moral law is not simply a list of abstract duties, a list of do's and don'ts, but the law first of all reveals the lawgiver." (20:31)
• Second Use: Restrains sin in society (civil use).
  • Even with abundant laws, society needs more restraint, not less, because anarchy is worse than bad government. (21:42)
• Third Use (Tertius Usus): The law guides believers in knowing what pleases God.
  • "Even though we are free from the law... yet the law continues to reveal to us what is pleasing to God." (22:58)

7. Illustrative Stories

• Mirror Analogy: Sproul compares the law to a mirror that never lies about our soul, recalling a personal anecdote about Weight Watchers and self-recognition.
  • “They don't make mirrors out there for your soul. That mirror is found in the law of God. And when I look in that mirror, that mirror never lies. And that mirror drives me to my knees.” (20:54)
• Prayer Meeting Gone Awry: Sproul recounts a group in an affluent church praying to the dead, misconstruing Christian liberty as a license for practices the Old Testament calls abominable.
  • “What is it in the history of redemption that has changed an activity that is utterly repugnant to God in one economy, now all of a sudden, pleasing to Him?” (23:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It's not that the law has been removed and that the law is dead, but in Christ we have died." (09:31)
• "The law does not reign over corpses. And in Jesus Christ, you're a corpse, you're dead, so the law can't touch you with the scourge of its curse." (18:51)
• "If you've been awakened by the Holy Ghost... the law acted as a schoolmaster for you, taught you your sinfulness, directed you to a Savior..." (12:05)
• "As sinful as we are, we would be even more sinful if the restraints were removed." (22:31)
• "The beauty of the law is still available to us... we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter." (24:00)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–01:09 — Introduction to law’s grounding in God’s character (Sproul and host)
• 01:09–04:36 — Paul’s marriage analogy in Romans 7
• 04:36–09:31 — What it means to “die to the law” and the nature of the law
• 09:31–13:10 — The continuing reality of the moral law and its effect on conscience
• 13:10–17:31 — The great commandment, Luther’s struggle, and Toplady’s hymn
• 17:31–24:00 — Calvin’s threefold use of the law; law as mirror, restrainer, and guide
• 23:58–24:15 — Illustrative story: error of misapplying “freedom from law”
• 24:00–end — Transition to next week’s teaching

Conclusion

Dr. Sproul’s exposition on Romans 7 clarifies that Christian freedom from the law is not the abolition of God’s standards, but liberation from the law’s power to condemn. The law remains a mirror, restrainer, and guide—always revealing God’s holy character, the depth of our need, and the path of gratitude-driven obedience. With practical illustrations and memorable moments, Sproul underscores the law’s enduring role and prepares listeners for a deeper study into the ongoing relationship between grace and obedience.