DEAD TO THE LAW

"Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." (Romans 7:1-4).

Devotion 12 of 17

FRUIT UNTO GOD

Being joined to the Lord Jesus is most wonderful, but it is not the end of the matter. Although it may sound theologically astute to say being one with Deity is the fundamental objective, there is more to be said on the subject. Paul states the case succinctly, and with great convicting power. Our marriage to Christ is in order " . . . that we might bear fruit for God" (Rom 7:4b). Through individuals united with His Son, God has chosen to produce fruitage for His glory. This occurs when Divine life is expressed through the redeemed-- when their thoughts, words, and deeds are the direct result of God working in them. As it is written, "for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13, NASB).

The seriousness of fruitlessness is accentuated by the words of our Savior. "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit" (John 15:2, NASB). If we have been joined to the Lord in order to produce fruit to God, what can be said of those show no likeness to God in their thoughts and words? It is serious beyond comprehension to be ungodlike in our thoughts--to possess a carnal mind that is enmity against God (Rom 8:7). Such a condition flies in the face of Divine objective. Let us have done with explaining why people are ungodly in their thoughts, and set at variance with God in their words. It is always unacceptable to think or speak in an ungodly manner--to be out of harmony with the Lord in thinking and speaking. While it is fashionable in religious circles to defend such nonsense, it is soundly condemned by the Word of the Lord.

THE SPIRIT OF LIFE

We have already seen the association between the principle of sin and the Law of God. The Law precisely defines sin. It also awakens the sin principle by means of its holy commandment. There is only one way for this process to be avoided. The individual must, through the remission of sin, become alive to God. Those possessing life have been liberated from enslavement to transgression. That is the meaning of this Pauline expression. "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death" (Rom 8:2).

Sin and death are wed together, and cannot be separated. Wherever sin is found, death is its companion, and wherever death is found, sin is at the root. Together, these two laws appear invincible. Indeed, there is not a person in all the world who, in their own strength, can extricate themselves from sin and death. But when we are "alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom 6:11), neither sin nor death can dominate us. The principle of the Spirit of life is superior to the law, or principle, of sin and death. Those who are in such a glorious condition are "dead to the Law." They are no longer condemned by it.

The Old Covenant, embodied in the Law, was a "ministry of death" and "condemnation" (2 Cor 3:7- 9). As long as men are confined to their own strength, they remain under the Law, condemned and hopeless. Only the "Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" can liberate us from the death and condemnation ministered by the Law.

The "law of sin and death" is the principle of sin that dwells in our members--within the natural part of all men (Rom 7:23,25). That law will not yield to discipline or regimentation. It will not yield to accountability or liturgy. It will only loose its grip at the demand of spiritual life--, i.e., life in Christ Jesus. It is in this way, and only in this way, that the individual can bear fruit to God.

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You in Jesus' name, for providing the way for me to produce fruit to Your glory.

-- Tomorrow: NEWNESS OF SPIRIT VERSUS OLDNESS OF THE LETTER --