"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans8:1. Paul has ended chapter 7 by the glorious declaration that we are delivered from sin by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ! He has shown us that life without Christ is defeat, misery and bondage to sin. Now in Ch. 8, Paul tells us that spiritual life, freedom from condemnation, victory over sin and fellowship with God come through union with Christ by the indwelling Holy Spirit. By receiving and following the Spirit, we are delivered from the power of sin and are led onward to final glorification in Christ. This experience is the normal Christian life under the full provision of the gospel. Tragically, some translations of the Bible, leave out the vitally important phrase "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." This is the Biblical condition for life without condemnation, and cannot be excluded or looked upon as optional.
v. 2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
This "law of the Spirit of life" is the regulating and activating power and life of the Holy Spirit operating in the heart of the believer. The Holy Spirit comes into a sinner and frees him or her from the power of sin. The law of the Spirit comes into full operation as believers commit themselves to obey the Holy Spirit. (vv. 4-5; 13-14). They find a new power operating within, a power that allows them to overcome sin. "The law of sin and death" in this verse is the controlling power of sin which places a person into bondage to sin reducing him or her to wretchedness. (Romans 7:24)
vv. 3-4 "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: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." The Holy Spirit working within believers allows them to live a life of righteousness that is seen as the fulfillment of God's mortal law. Thus, the operation of grace and obedience to the law of God are not in conflict. They both point to righteousness and holiness. (excerpts from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible)
Thank God, when we walk in the Spirit, and obey His Holy Word, there is no condemnation!! What a great salvation!!!
v. 2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
This "law of the Spirit of life" is the regulating and activating power and life of the Holy Spirit operating in the heart of the believer. The Holy Spirit comes into a sinner and frees him or her from the power of sin. The law of the Spirit comes into full operation as believers commit themselves to obey the Holy Spirit. (vv. 4-5; 13-14). They find a new power operating within, a power that allows them to overcome sin. "The law of sin and death" in this verse is the controlling power of sin which places a person into bondage to sin reducing him or her to wretchedness. (Romans 7:24)
vv. 3-4 "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: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." The Holy Spirit working within believers allows them to live a life of righteousness that is seen as the fulfillment of God's mortal law. Thus, the operation of grace and obedience to the law of God are not in conflict. They both point to righteousness and holiness. (excerpts from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible)
Thank God, when we walk in the Spirit, and obey His Holy Word, there is no condemnation!! What a great salvation!!!