There is now no condemnation ...

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. ... For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. ... However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. -Romans 8:1-2,5,9 NLT

Paul has spent much of his this epistle so far speaking about how the Mosaic Law cannot defeat sinful actions and behaviors. Halfway thru his letter he makes this glorious pivot saying that condemnation is no more for those who are in Christ Jesus. He elaborates the meaning of this sentiment by speaking of a different kind of law. In contrast to laws that define sinful behavior this new law speaks to the things that bring spiritual life and set us free from sin and death.

I love the definitive way that the apostle says that we who believe "are not in the flesh but in the Spirit". It reminds me how Jesus once spoke to the Pharisee Nicodemus about being "born of the Spirit". In the same way that one must be physically born to experience physical life one must be spiritually born to experience spiritual life. We who are born again set our minds on spiritual things. It is not an issue of religious preference but one of spiritual transformation.

Thank you Father for giving your Spirit to us that we might truly be free from sin and death.

1 comment:

  1. AliceFriday, January 25, 2013 6:57:00 AM

    Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. But here we are. It must be that it truly in within us in the "inner man" where the Spirit lives and perfects and frees. We are free:)

    ReplyDelete

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