02.27

Set Free by the Spirit "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free
from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)"

There is a destructive spiritual tendency that resides in every human being. It is "the
law of sin and death." This indwelling principle is always pulling people downward into
sin and spiritual deadness. It comes from being physically born into a fallen race of
sinners who are like their earthly father, Adam. Being born anew spiritually does not
remove this problem, since this principle still operates within our natural humanity (the
flesh). Yet, becoming a child of God does make His remedy constantly available to us.

God's remedy for"the law of sin and death" is a higher, more powerful principle: "the law
of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus." This lofty principle involves the Holy Spirit
making the life that is in Christ Jesus our resource for living. This principle is
operating in the life of any new creature in Christ who is not walking "according to the
flesh but [is walking] according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:4b). This approach to Christian
living is the only one that can liberate us from the internal carnal tendencies that
influence us all.

In fact (as we have noted previously), this is the only hope of growing in the godliness
that the law demanded: "that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in
us" (Romans 8:4a). Our lives can only measure up to the holy will of God when we are
walking in the Spirit, because Christ is then being allowed to express His life through
us. Jesus was (and is) the only one who could ever walk fully pleasing to the Father.
Jesus said, "I always do those things that please Him" (John 8:29). For a victorious
Christian experience, we need this same life of Jesus living in and through us now, by the
working of the Holy Spirit. We need the higher law ("the law of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus") setting us free from the lower law ("the law of sin and death").

Again, what is our responsibility in this? We are to relate to the Lord in humility and
faith. Humility can develop as we agree with our Lord that "the law of sin and death"
characterizes our flesh (our best natural resources). Faith can be exercised as we look to
our Lord to demonstrate that "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me
free from the law of sin and death."

"Dear Lord Jesus, You alone can supply the life I am called to live. I humbly agree with
Your word that my resources are marred by a tendency to sin. Teach me to trust in Your
Holy Spirit for liberation from living by my flesh. I thank You in advance for the
faithful ways You will answer this prayer. Lord Jesus, live in and through me by the power
of Your Spirit, Amen."