READ ROMANS 8:1-17

The first half of Romans 8 (verses 1-17) brings the previous seven chapters to their logical conclusion.  We are no longer condemned because we have been justified. Appealing to the Jewish mind Paul again elaborates upon how such righteousness is apart from the Law of Moses.  Moreover, we are not only justified but adopted into the family of God and thereby are joint-heirs with Christ.

This morning we will focus upon Romans 8:2-4, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.  4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

vs. 2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."  The word law in this verse again has the broader sense of a ‘principle.’ However, his reference to “the law of sin and death,” while alluding to it as a principle, is a veiled reference to the Law of Moses. His point is simple. The spiritual principles of life in Christ Jesus release one from the condemnation of the law of sin and death (i.e., the Law of Moses). The law relating to the Spirit of life is greater than the law of sin and death.  Praise God!

vs. 3 "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh." The thought in verse 3 is concise. “For what the law could not do, in that, it was weak through the flesh,” God did it through His Son. A part of the weakness of the Law was that it dealt with our sinful flesh. However, “God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.”  One reason Jesus took upon Him a body was to become sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. He came to deal with sin (i.e., “for sin”) and executed judgment against it in his own body. The word translated as "condemned" has the idea of ‘executing judgment against.’ 

vs. 4 "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Paul picks up where he left off in Romans 3:21, that “now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested.” To the Jewish mindset, the means of righteousness was through the Law of Moses. To their thinking, righteousness was achieved by keeping that law. Therefore, Paul elaborates that the “righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  The point is, the very righteousness of the law which the Jewish mind sought was not by keeping all of its outward physical (i.e., fleshly) practices, but rather by observing spiritual principles of faith in Christ. The realm of the spiritual is rooted in the Holy Spirit.

I am grateful that Jesus Christ came to this earth, lived a sinless life, and then purchased our salvation by sacrificing Himself on the cross. The law of life (in the Holy Spirit) is greater than the law of sin and death. Hallelujah!!!

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  What is the very clear basis for no spiritual condemnation in your life?

2.  Explain how the “law of the Spirit” is able to free you from the “law of sin”?

3.  Can the Law (as given to Moses) save you? Why or why not?

4.  Why was it imperative for Jesus to come in the flesh?