The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus

Romans 8:1-8

1.There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, (who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.) 2.For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3.For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4.that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5.For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6.For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7.Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8.So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (NKJV)

In Romans 7, the Apostle Paul defined the human dilemma by saying "the good I want to do, I don't do, but the evil I don't want to do, I find myself doing." While many claim that Paul in Romans 7:13-25 is describing his condition before becoming a Christian, this is highly unlikely. Paul is presenting a systematic treatment of the Christian faith and life, To revert back to his pre-Christian experience disrupts his chain of thought. In his Commentary on Romans Martin Luther wrote regarding this section from Romans:

This entire passage clearly indicates a complaint and a hatred of the flesh and a love for the good and for the Law. But this attitude is in no way characteristic of carnal man, who prefers to hate the Law and laughs at it and follows the desires of his flesh. For the spiritual man fights with his flesh and groans because he cannot do as he wants to. But the carnal man does not fight against his flesh, but yields to it and consents to it. Hence the well-known statement of St. Augustine: “The will to be righteous is a large part of righteousness.” (Luther's Works, Lectures on Romans, Saint Louis: CPH.)

Romans 7 defines the plight of the baptized Christian who, knowing that he is made right with God and in Christ Jesus is dead to sin and alive to God, now sets out to live the Christian life. He wants to do what is good and right and follow the teachings of Jesus but as soon as he sets out to do so, he discovers that he is powerless. Paul declares, "for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find (18)."  The problem is not with the "what" of God's Law but with the "how." It is one thing to tell people "what" to do, but it is another thing to inform them "how" to do it. 

For many preachers, Romans 7 defines the present state of the Christian and the plight of the Apostle Paul is used as an example, causing us to accept as normal Christian experience our propensity to sin. "After all," they say, "the Apostle Paul was in the same boat." Yet, they do not realize that Romans 8 is the answer to the Romans 7 dilemma. We cannot use Romans 7 as an excuse for our sin.

As soon as we enter into Romans 8 we are immediately faced with a textual disparity. As you can see from the NKJV text above, I have placed the words "who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" in parenthesis. Without going into a lengthy textual discussion, the "Textus Receptus" or "the received text" upon which the King James Version was written is the 1522 edition of Erasmus translation. Later textual evidence indicated that this phrase is an interpolation or the addition of a scribe who probably borrowed it from verse four and added it to verse one. If we accept the validity of the phrase we add a condition to no longer being under the condemnation or judgment of God. There are no conditions since, according to verse three, sin has already been judged or condemned through the work of Christ so those who are in Christ are no longer condemned. There are no conditions. So we must reject that phrase as a later addition to the text. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." Period! End of sentence. God is no longer condemning you since his condemnation was placed upon Jesus who went to the Cross because of your sins. Therefore, stop condemning yourself!  

Verse two must be unpacked. "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." What does that mean?

First of all, the word "law" in this verse does not refer to the do's and don't's of the law but rather is defining a principle.  It is similar to speaking of the "law of gravity." If we happen to jump off a roof, we are not obeying the "law of gravity." We are not doing the law, the law is doing us. In this sense, the "law of sin and death" and the "law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" is something that does us, so to speak.

Paul defines the "law of sin and death' in Romans 7 when he writes: "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members (vs. 23)." The problem is, our life is wrong. There is a built-in principle or law in every human life born out of the root of Adam. It is the "law of sin and death." The wages of sin is death! This principle is a part of every human life regardless of status or appearance. Whether you are the Pope in Rome or the homeless recluse living under the highway overpass, you are subject to the law of sin and death.

So while we are born in Adam and the old Adam is in us, as baptized believers in Jesus Christ we are born-again in Christ, and Christ is in us. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:45: "And so it is written, 'The first man Adam became a living being.' The last Adam became a life-giving spirit." In John 15, Jesus instructed us to abide in Him as a branch is connected to the vine. The life is in the vine, and Jesus is the Vine, and we are the branches. By remaining joined to Him we bear much fruit. This is a law of life. The fruit produced is not the result of observing the Law but the spontaneous results of abiding in Christ. The Apostle wrote in Colossians 2:6, "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him." He states in Romans 8:4 that the righteous requirements of the Law are fulfilled in them who walk in the Spirit (or abide in Christ or live in Christ). The Formula of Concord puts it this way:    

Fruits of the Spirit, however, are those works which the Spirit of God, who dwells in the believers, works through the regenerated, and which the regenerated perform in so far as they are reborn and do them as spontaneously as if they knew of no command, threat, or reward. In this sense the children of God live in the law and walk according to the law of God. In his epistles St. Paul calls it the law of Christ and the law of the mind. Thus God’s children are “not under the law, but under grace".(Romans. 7:23; 8:1,14) (Tappert, T. G. The Book of Concord [The Formula of Concord: 1, VI, 6], Philadelphia: Fortress Press.)

So it is obvious. We live the Christian life by abiding in Christ, walking according to the Spirit, or living in Christ. As a result, the law or principle of the life that is in Christ Jesus sets us free from the principle of sin and death which is a part of our natural human condition. The question is, how do we live in Christ or walk in the Spirit?

The Apostle continues in Romans 8: "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." "Set their minds!" Are we talking about the late Dr. Robert Schuller's "Possibility Thinking," or Norman Vincent Peale's "The Power of Positive Thinking?" Absolutely not!! The Apostle is talking about getting our minds off ourselves and the things of this world and the sinful nature and directing our minds to those things pertaining to our new life in Christ: the Word of God and praise and thanksgiving. In so doing, we are abiding in Christ and the "law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus is setting us free from the law of sin and death." Changing the way we think and what we think about is well within our capability unless, of course, one is demon possessed which I am certain, if you happen to be reading this, is not the case.

This is not something to be taken lightly or regarded as optional. The Apostle Paul adds the thought: "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." If I live from day to day with my mind set upon the things pertaining to my sinful nature: focusing on myself, the temptation of the devil, the allure of the world I am experiencing "death," that is separation from the life that is in Christ Jesus. Jesus said, "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned" But, the mind set upon the things of the Spirit: the truths of God's Word, praise, worship and thanksgiving, results in life and peace. This same thought is often reiterated in the Epistles of Paul:

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." ( Colossians 3:1-2).

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2)

"That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24)

The Psalmist wrote:

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper." (Psalm 1:1-3) 

The Prophet Isaiah wrote (26:3)

"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."

Regarding the use of God's Word, Martin Luther wrote:

"Hear God's Word often; do not go to bed, do not get up without speaking a beautiful passage - two, three or four of them - to your heart." (Plass, What Luther Says, St. Louis, CPH, pg. 1485)

"On the other hand, such is the power of the Word if it is seriously contemplated, heard and used that it is never without fruit. It always awakens new understanding, pleasure and devotion and purifies the heart and thoughts." (Plass, pg. 1467) 

"I still constantly find that when I am without the Word, Christ is gone, yes and so are joy and the Spirit. But as soon as I look at a Psalm or a passage of Scripture, it so shines and burns into my heart that I gain a different Spirit and mind, Moreover, I know that everybody may experience this in his own life." (Plass, pg. 691))

Regarding the place of music in the life of the Christian, Martin Luther wrote in a 1534 letter to one Mathias Weller who was given to brooding,

"When sadness comes to you and threatens to gain the upper hand, then say, Come, I must play my Lord Christ a song on the organ for Scripture teaches me that he loves to hear joyful song and stringed instruments. And strike the keys with a will and sing out until the thoughts disappear...If the devil returns and suggests cares or sad thoughts, then defend yourself with a will and say: Get out devil, I must now sing and play to my Lord Christ." (Plass, pg. 983) 

Before applying the solution, we must first identify the problem. It is vital to recognize in your own life what are the actions, reactions, attitudes, and emotions in your daily experience of life that emanate from your sinful nature and keep you in bondage to the law of sin and death so that you might deal with them. This is not easy to do. You must be honest and not make excuses! Remember, you are not dealing with justification but sanctification. You are a justified, redeemed, forgiven member of the family of God. Sanctification deals with the question of how you live in that family.

In Galatians 5:19-21, the Apostle Paul lists the so-called works of the sinful nature, the works of Adam:

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like."

The phrase "and the like" leaves the whole list open-ended. We can add self-pity, bitterness, worry, fear, depression, anxiety, etc. All temptations to sin, all negative feeling and emotion begin between the ears. They are products of the mind, of our way of thinking. St. Augustine said, "You cannot keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair." What are the "birds" that have built a nest in your hair?

It is not possible to teach anything pertaining to the subject of living the Christian life without first experiencing what you are teaching. Without going into the gory details, there was a time when I was filled with self-pity, bitterness and resentment. I was reacting against those who were critical of me. I was miserable, The teaching of the Apostle Paul about setting your mind on the things of the Spirit was a life-saver. I found a way out and continue to apply the practice on a daily basis when the "birds begin to fly over my head," There are many daily encounters that stir up the old sinful nature whether anger over missing a three-foot putt, lack of patience in a traffic jam, frustration over the debilitation of old age, feelings of guilt etc. etc. While perhaps the change in my thinking is not immediate, but eventually, rather than being pulled down I have learned to quote Bible passages, confess sin and receive forgiveness, sing hymns or choruses of praise and express my gratitude to my gracious God for his great and many blessings that I have received. This does not identify me as some spiritual giant but one who is not stupid enough to allow the issues of life to pull me down when God has given me an alternative.

In Colossians 3:15-17, the Apostle defines the nature of living in Christ:

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

In Philippians 4:4-7, the Apostle writes:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

The final phrase is a hina result clause. The Greek word hina indicates either purpose or result. In this case, it is a result clause. If you choose to do what the first two verses say, the result will be that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through (better translation:"in") Christ Jesus." Living "in Christ Jesus" as opposed to living "in Adam" is what you want to do.

I realize, of course, that many of you are set in your ways. Perhaps you have been holding feelings of resentment for many years toward those who have hurt you in the past and feel justified in doing so. Perhaps you enjoy wallowing in your own self-pity. Perhaps you think that by continually complaining about your plight in life you cause other people to feel sorry for you. Perhaps by always expressing your anger over one thing or another you can control other people. Perhaps you want to win the award for having the worst plight in life. Perhaps you feel justified in your bitterness because other people "made you" that way. I get "a kick" out of people who say, "He gets me so upset." The fact of the matter is, you get yourself upset over him, regardless of what he has done.

The battlefield is the mind, and our God has done so many gracious and wonderful things for you, that by remembering them and being thankful for them you can win the battle. This does not mean that you won't from time to time stumble and fall and get pulled down by the cares and concerns of life. What it does mean is you know how to deal with them. You confess your "carnal mind" as sin against God and acknowledge that Jesus died for your sins and receive your forgiveness. You pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and go on your way filled with praise and thanksgiving. To put it very simply, if you claim to be a Christian, live like one!