Romans 8:2

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Sunday, 30 June 2013

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.  Romans 8:2

In the analysis of verse 7:22, the various “laws” were noted which reflect our state as humans. Some are negative laws, such as the “law of sin and death.” Others are positive and which are granted to those who believe in Jesus. These are called “laws” because they work in a governing way, just as the laws of the universe do – gravity, motion, energy, thermodynamics, etc.

The “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” is a governing law. This law is granted by faith in Christ. The moment a person believes the gospel which they have heard, they are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, 14). A new law is available to govern us and it “has made me free from the law of sin and death.” One law replaces another in this case. We move from a position “in Adam” which carries the sentence of death and condemnation, to that of being “in Christ” which frees us from both.

Actually there are three principle ways of being united to Christ. The first is that we are united by faith. Because of this relationship, we are born again and thus we are united by birth. Just as we were born into Adam, we are now born into Christ. And this means that we are in Christ in a third way, by essence. Jesus uses the symbolism of the vine and the branches. We share the same vitality and life source – this is the Spirit.

The Spirit is our guarantee of eternal life. He is the deposit which assures us that, despite the failings of our flesh, we are now children of God and “co-heirs” with Christ. But one final thought should be considered. We can work against the law of gravity through the use of an opposite force, a rocket for example. In the same way, we can work against the Spirit in us by not yielding to the Spirit. This goes back to the war Paul speaks of in chapter 7.

Life application: By faith, we are granted the Holy Spirit of promise. We are granted new life and a new direction. Let us not work against this great blessing, but yield to God. Stay in touch with the Lord through prayer, meditation on His word, fellowshipping with other believers, etc. What we have been granted is infinitely superior to what we gave up, so let us endeavor to move forward in this wonderful new life.

Majesty and honor are Yours, O God. Help me to continuously seek out Your glory and not turn my eyes from the beauty of Your splendor. In this world, I often struggle with the carnal life. I’m bound to it in my flesh, but I know that it is temporary and fleeting. So give me the wisdom and the desire to put these things behind me and seek only Your glorious perfection. Amen.

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