“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus – who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath 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 sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh — and for sin – condemned sin in the flesh: (4) that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us – who walk not after the flesh – but after the Spirit.” [Ro.8:1-4]
What a truly grand statement of the word of the truth of the gospel of God’s great grace this portion of scripture proves to be! It more than merits yet another thoughtful consideration. Why? Because it descriptively declares the undeniable evidence of what Christ’s holy work – of His holy walk of life – in and through this unholy world – has eternally accomplished – for all those which have been placed in Him. The blessed holy work of the Triune Savior/God – works out – works in – and works through all those which this text declares are in Christ Jesus – a most wonderful eternally saving miracle. It is this work that has produced not only their eternal standing before Him – but their personal and individual walk through this sinful, fallen world. A walk following after the blessed Holy Spirit of God. What a wonderful gospel declaration!
Dear ones, this is the special spiritual experience that we should earnestly be praying to be made apparent – not only in and from our own lives – but also in and from the lives of each other. For this is the description of the vibrant and living relationship that the eternal Savior Son of God enters into with each one of His true believers. This is what being genuinely born from above produces in a sinner. They are daily – even hourly – being successfully and effectually led by His Holy Spirit – through this world of the “valley of the shadow of death” – all the way — into the heavenly bliss-filled reality of the Savior’s blessed eternal presence.
It is our “walk after” – or, according to – the Holy Spirit of Christ our God – that becomes the manifestation of our having been – by God’s grace alone – completely redeemed and remitted from the dreaded eternal, but just, condemnation of “the law of sin and death”. Which law — rules and reigns over our ever present – in this world — sinful flesh. Why is this true? Because we, by the grace of the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ, walk anew — according to “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus”! It is this that brings to pass the reality of the living proof of the written statement of God from Ro.6:14, which says: “For sin shall not have dominion over you – for you are not under the law – but under grace!” And, its all because of the eternal accomplishment of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ! Praise His Holy Name!
This, in turn, is why the apostle is inspired by the Holy Spirit to explain unto us that which he does in vs.3-4> “For what the law [of sin and death] could not do – in that it is weak through the flesh [i.e. our sinful flesh] — God – sending His own Son – in the likeness of [our] sinful flesh – and – for sin, condemned sin in the flesh [i.e. His flesh] (4) that the righteousness of the law [of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus] might be fulfilled in us [who are in Christ, and] who [as a result of His Holy work] walk not after [or, according to] the flesh, but after [or, according to] the Spirit.”
There are even more distinguishing details delivered in Ro.8:5-13 that graphically demonstrate the striking difference between these two. It is these differences that serve to lend weight to the context of Ro.8:14: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God!” Amen.
For Christ’s Glory Only!
John Carpenter