“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2
Dear Ones:
There are really only two laws which explain, and depict, our existence upon this earth, and for eternity. They are “the law of sin and death,” and “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.” What do they mean, how do they apply to the subject of our existence?
The first thing that we need to see, and understand, is that a law is a legal, affirmative, and resolved declaration of truth, or reality. From a heavenly standpoint, it is “settled in heaven.” It is also a roadway, a path, an authoritative and obligatory course of action or existing. The “law of sin and death” is just that, a prescribed and resolved rule, certainty, carrying with it the authority to force, or coerce, conformity to its dictates. When Scripture speaks of sin as being the very nature and essence of this law, it speaks of that which has nothing to do with God. Sin is independence from God, separateness from God. Sin possesses NO commonality, uniformity, or affinity with the nature and person of God. So that, we see that here is a principle, and more than a principle…a law, that declares that there is a code of thinking, working, living, existing, which is completely separate, and independent from God. The issue of authority, and obligation to live in this manner is brought about by seeing that, according to the Apostle John, “…the whole world lies in the wicked one,” Satan. Christ called him, the “prince of this world.” Paul, in speaking of this authoritative arrangement between the attitude of sin, and the prince of this world wrote: “…you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air.” (Eph. 2:2) So then, by the phrase, “…the law of sin,” we see that there is a declared, dominating arrangement between an attitude of independence of God, and the power of Satan whose whole nature, in its essence is opposition to God. Man is separate from God by his sin, and subservient to Satan according to his power. Hallelujah for the Gospel, and the work of the Lord Jesus on Calvary, for Paul writes, that the Father, “… hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.” (Col. 1:13)
With regard to the “law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus,” we are also faced with that which is a resolved, true, and effectual reality. In this case we can base the good effect and operation, even fruitfulness of it, on the unchangeable and faithful character of God. That which is declared by this phrase is the total antithesis of the “law of sin,”as it means, not a separation from God, but a dwelling IN God, IN Christ, living absolutely dependent upon Him. The whole of the gospel declares this difference and distinction. Where one law speaks of the absence of life, and the experience of spiritual death and eventual physical death, the “law of the Spirit” speaks of life, the very life of Jesus Christ communicated, and dwelling in the heart of the believer by the Spirit. How then, with regard to sinful man on this earth, does the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus,” set sinful man FREE from the law of sin and death?
When a person comes to Christ by faith, and that person, by a sovereign act of God is placed IN Jesus Christ, the dominion of Satan is not only compromised, but shattered. In Christ’s words on the cross, “It is finished,” provision was made for sinful man to know the freedom from the guilt of sin, but also from its tyranny. Christ’s work also applied to the power of the “god of this world.” Christ has introduced a greater power, dominion, even the kingdom, in the heart of the believer. Christ now will reign instead of sin.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to see the greatness of Christ’s work, believe Him, and live by the Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad