FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2)

The natural realm has laws, or principles, that govern everything within it. No man can cause these laws to cease. Primary examples include law of gravity, the law of centrifugal force, and laws of thermodynamics. Gravity causes things of greater weight than air to fall. Centrifugal force causes things to be thrown away from the center when rotated. The third law of thermodynamics causes things to deteriorate, weaken, and decline.

Even so, there are laws in the spiritual realm. Like the laws of nature, these have been imposed by God. No man can cause them to cease to operate, or suspend their operation for a season. Of particular interest are the two laws mentioned in Romans 8:2.

One of these laws is superior to the other, and can cause the inferior law to cease to dominate. By nature, the second law governs humanity, and ruthlessly so. It is "the law of sin and death." In nature it rules, and no man can cause it to cease that rule. Simply stated, this law causes every person to sin and eventually die. It is an inviolable law. "All have sinned," and all will die (Rom 5:12; Heb 9:27). No matter how precious our newborn children are, they will sin. Regardless of the benefit any person brings, he will die. Like an invincible tyranny, this law has laid hold on all humanity. The philosophers have not been able to break its hold. The wisest men of this world are impotent when facing this law. Were it not for some heavenly initiative, by an Omnipotent God, hopelessness and futility would reign uncontested over of us. Indeed, where God is not known, that is precisely what has occurred. What a dreaded law this is.

In salvation, a superior law is introduced. It is a dominating law wherever it is received. The "law of sin and death" cannot stand in its presence. It is "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus." Specifically, this does not refer to the Holy Spirit Himself, but to His assigned and consistent work. He brings an end to the dominance of sin, and will terminate the reign of death for the individual. The Spirit brings an upward drawing that is stronger than natures downward pull. Although "law of sin and death" held us fast in its grip, it had to let us go when the Spirit was sent into our hearts. We were no longer obligated to sin, not being debtors to the flesh, to live after its dictates (Rom 8:12). Liberated, we can now draw near to God with a true heart and in the full assurance of faith (Heb 10:22).

The impact of this deliverance is marvelous. Our conscience does not condemn us, as guilt can no longer rule us. Too, we can serve the Lord with joy and gladness. Our preferences changed when we were freed from "the law of sin and death." We received strength to leave the land of bondage, and make our way to the promised land!

Someone might erroneously conclude this means the Christian no longer sins. That, however, is not the conclusion to which the Spirit brings us. Rather, it is that the believer is no longer under the dominion of sin. If sin does occur, "we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the Righteous" (1 John 2:1). Through Him forgiveness is obtained, and a "cleansing from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:7). Thus we are able to recover from sin, and go on our way rejoicing. It is a law-- the "law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus."

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ that I am no longer under the tyranny of sin and death!

-- Monday: THE ILLOGICALNESS OF A CARNAL CHURCH --