Law versus Spirit

Romans 8:1-11

Romans 8:1 is one of the great “therefores” in the Bible. After several chapters of discussions about the shortcomings of the Law and how it arouses sin, leading to death, Paul turns the page to a new chapter. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, whereas with the law, men are under constant condemnation because men constantly sin. There are key differences between the “law of the  Spirit of life” and the “law of sin and death.” First note there is still a standard of righteousness, i.e. a “law” still exists. The fact that we’re in Christ Jesus does not mean there is no standard for living. Righteous living is still expected. However, instead of seeking to meet the requirements of the law, we now seek to please Christ. We are not controlled by the demands of the law, but by the Holy Spirit dwelling within. With the law of sin and death, the effort is to satisfy an external demand. With law of the Spirit of life, the effort is to please the indwelling Christ. The former leads to, at best, a façade of righteousness whereas the latter leads to a righteous that springs from a changed heart – one that’s alive in Christ. The former can never satisfy the law while the latter satisfies the “law” completely in Christ Jesus.

Yes, the believer will still sin, but instead of condemnation, there is forgiveness. While we were under the Law, our focus was the requirements of the law; walking in the strength of the flesh to stay within the parameters of the law. Whenever a misstep occurred, there was condemnation and guilt. The Law was burdensome and a constant reminder of our failings. With the Law of the Spirit of life, we live not according to external rules and requirements, but according to our love for Christ. The constraint is not external, but internal.

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf. 2Cor 5:14-15

The Law falls short because it works through the flesh, which is weak. Therefore the Law can never bring righteousness. Whereas the Law failed, God succeeded. This success came in the form of the incarnate Christ, fully man but without sin. Christ himself fulfilled the Law perfectly; the only man to do so. Not only did He fulfill the Law, He also fulfilled the righteous requirement of the Law in us. The Law mandated a penalty for (our) sin. That penalty is judgment and death. Christ paid that penalty on the cross. He satisfied the requirements of the Law both by His death and by His life and the resulting righteousness is imputed to us. So now, we are no longer obligated to the Law and no longer enslaved to sin, but we are now indebted to Christ. Freed from the law of sin and death, we are now enslaved to the law of the Spirit of life. Unfortunately many in our churches have an erroneous view of our freedom in Christ. Freedom in Christ is not being freed to do as we please [in the flesh]. Because of this very issue, some are troubled that there is no longer an external requirement or code to live by. What will keep our behavior in check? What will motivate us to stay on the track of righteousness?

Freedom in Christ is being freed from the enslavement of sin. Now we are enslaved to Christ to do righteousness. Later in the chapter, Paul writes that we obligated to the Spirit to put to death the deeds of the flesh, i.e. putting to death the selfish desires. There is now a better motivation for righteous living, the motivation of the indwelling Spirit. As believers, we are now in the Spirit and no longer in the flesh. Therefore, we are to live not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For life according to the Spirit brings forth life and peace [and righteous living]. As we live according to the Spirit, we set our minds on the things of the Spirit. This is why Paul wrote verses 5 through 17 – to show us there is righteous living apart from the Law. In verse 9 Paul makes this statement, “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him.” Since we are no longer in the flesh, but in the Spirit, we pursue, or set our minds on, the things of the Spirit.

So what are the things of the Spirit on which we should set our minds? Before we look at these things of the Spirit, it’s important to note that undergirding everything is our relationship with God. In verse 15, Paul wrote that we have received the Spirit of adoption, i.e. we are sons and daughters of God, fellow heirs with Christ. We are alive in the Spirit; alive to God. We can fellowship with Him and from this fellowship flows our new life in Christ. As we seek to know Him more intimately and as we experience Him, righteous living is a byproduct. The best motivation for right living is the desire to please Him and glorify Him. In fact, righteous living is no longer the focus because the desire to make ourselves look good has been usurped by the desire to make God look good. What the world thinks of us (our righteousness) has ceased to be a concern. As we seek Him, we shall become like Him.

 “And we all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor 3:18)

Now, back to the things of the Spirit. . . Setting our minds on the things of the Spirit is similar to seeking the kingdom of God. We embrace the things that are important to God, e.g. unconditional love, forgiveness, mercy, compassion, justice, humility, service, faith. For more on the values of God’s kingdom, click here.