Most countries have some form of a constitution. The UK is unusual in that unlike most countries its constitution is unwritten, however, it still has one. Many countries have constitutions intended to encourage liberal democracy and the rule of law. However, that doesn’t always work out. Sometimes the people find themselves governed by brutal dictators lacking any concern for law, justice, freedom or democracy. Such rulers often turn the instruments of the state against dissent, even using the powers of the constitution to cause harm and promote themselves.
This helps us to think about what is going on in Romans. The Law acts like a constitution intended to promote what is good and right. However, in the hands of evil rulers, sin, death, Satan it is used to accuse and to bring harm.
On a side note, we can also see how in the wrong hands, grace can be weaponised to also promote and protect those it should not and crush the vulnerable. We need the constitution of grace but it needs to be in the hands of the one true, good and just ruler, Jesus.
Faithroots 