The Gospel's fugitive

Romans 7:13 Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.

When blue and red lights flash in the human soul
In the heart of every human being lies a function of the soul that Romans 2:15 describes as the "conscience".  The conscience tells us when we have overstepped the boundaries of God's law.  Its like those people who are driving 10 miles above the speed limit and know that even though they are doing wrong, yet their destination, their agenda is more pressing than obeying the governing authorities.  Thinking that they are nothing more than a good citizen committing a minor traffic violation, unbelievers continue to "drive" through life.  It is then that the Holy Spirit pulls out and the lights of conviction come on and the sirens of Divine judgment blare.  

When the Holy Spirit places you under arrest - Romans 7:1-13
The Holy Spirit's job is to bring the sinner to justice - for the sake of Mercy.  In the light of God's Law, the sinner finds out that he has been a wanted man.  He is guilty of crimes against the King and his escapades and identity in his father Adam led to the death of the King's innocent Son.  Through the flashing lights of the law the Holy Spirit reads my rights through the Gospel.  The fugative blurts out: "I refuse the court appointed attorney, since I have my own, thank you very much!"  Paul here in Romans 7 is showing how unbelievers are in the eyes of God's law.  The sinner mutters to himself: "I'm a good person, I'm a good kid, I go to church, just who does He think He is, He's got no proof that I did it!"  The Law's work according to Romans 7:7 is to take the Holy Spirit convicted sinner in before the Judgment seat of God.

A fugative from God made a family member - Romans 7:14-8:1
At first the sinner may fight and defend himself - however as Holy God brings evidence and cross examination, it is clear that they are not only a law breaker, but guilty of treason against the King.  Alas the Law of God shuts the fugative's mouth - no defense. (Romans 3:10-20)  The rehearsed speech is a joke.  God knows all and sees all.  Satan, the only attorney that the sinner had been looking to, is really the enemy. (2 Corinthians 4:4) 

Suddenly the courtroom door flies open and in steps the defense attorney - The Son.  The very One whom the fugative had done violence against - is alive!  Will they run, will they hide, as their father Adam, a fugative in the Garden of Eden, had done?  No.  Something is different here.  That fugative at one point was me.  When I was that fugative, I was overcome by the Son's grace, His love in contrast to my vileness and filth.

Grace through the Law convinced me of my deserved condemnation - a fugative deserving justice!  By grace through faith I threw myself on the Mercy of the Court.  Grace through the Gospel revealed the Son's nail-scarred hand reaching down to me.  I reached up and by faith embraced the One whom I formerly hated. This marvelous Savior picked me up, and placed His own white robe around my shoulders.  The gavel of God thundered on the bench and His sentence was declared over the rest of my life - case dismissed!  The Fugative is no more - you are free to go - my son!   Romans 8:1 states - "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."