What is it about being told not to do something and then wanting to do it even more?  There is an innate reaction to when we are not allowed to do something that makes the desire to do it much stronger.  Have you ever told a child to not jump off the furniture?  Then, it becomes even more fun and exhilarating for them when they do it.  They get a thrill out of doing something that  is not only fun but forbidden.  Now, take that scenario and think about the Ten Commandments.  What keeps us from breaking the Ten Commandments?  How are we able to overcome the desire to follow evil?  The answer lies in the grace of God.  With the power of grace, we are given the ability to reject sin.  Jesus died so that we may receive grace and live.  If we only had the Ten Commandments, we would know what is wrong, but it would be much harder for us to reject it.  By having the grace given to us by Christ, we can live eternally with Him instead of dying to sin.  Thank you Lord!

Read:

• Justification and the Christian Life – Part 2 (7:1-8:39)

Questions:

• What verse(s) stood out to you and why?
• Do you like rules to live by?  How do you view the 10 Commandments?  As a guide?  As oppression?  How should they be viewed, and what are their benefits? (see Romans 7:7-12)
• Do you live according to the flesh or according to God’s will?  Are there any ways in which evil has a hold of you?  With the grace of Christ, how have you been able to overcome an evil? (see Romans 8:6-17)
• Additional Questions found in your study guide or in the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible – The Gospel of Romans (page 46)