Chapter 30 - Rule of Life

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The spiritually mature believer has recognized that the indwelling Christ is the source of his Christian life. Consequently, he has learned to differentiate between the external rule of law and the internal rule of life (zoe).

In contrast to the gracious rule of life (zoe), the rule of divine law demands perfect obedience to its every command, regulation, and ordinance. Therefore, even one small act of disobedience leads to condemnation. As a result, the motive for attempting to fulfill the righteous requirement of the rule of law is fear, the fear of condemnation.

Rather than fear, the motive for the intimate, life-based (zoe) sanctification of the real New Testament church is love (agape). “There is no fear in love (agape); but perfect love (agape) casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love (agape).” (1 John 4:18)

The perfect love (agape) of God is an attribute of His life (zoe) that indwells the real New Testament church. It is foundational to the progressive sanctification of the New Testament church.

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Not Under Law

The biblical description of marriage illustrates God’s gracious, loving design for His life-based (zoe) sanctification of the real New Testament church. It also helps to clarify the church’s need to be released from the rule of law.

The Bible states, “For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” (Ephesians 5:28-31; cf. Genesis 2:24) From the beginning, marriage was intended to be physically and spiritually intimate. Therefore, husband and wife were not intended to become united as one flesh by the performance of mutually agreed-upon rules, regulations, and ordinances. Instead, intimacy in marriage was designed to be a gracious blessing of God nurtured from the motive of selfless, unconditional (agape) love cultivated in an environment of mutually shared life.

The rule of law is not only contradictory for marriage but also the spiritual growth of the ecclesia. It cannot support the intimate, gracious, loving shared life community that is necessary for life-based (zoe) sanctification. Consequently, it was necessary for God to release His ecclesia from the rule of law.

Paul explained, “For sin (the sin nature) shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14; cf. Romans 6:1-13; 1 Corinthians 9:20-21; Galatians 2:19; 3:1-5; 23-25; 4:4-5; 5:1-6; Hebrews 7:11-12) The immediate context reveals that Paul was not referring to the mastery of the believer by the practice of sin (effect) but mastery by the indwelling principle of sin (source) or the sin nature. (cf. Romans 6:1-13)

Concordant with the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the sin nature in the believer was made powerless to control or condemn. Therefore, it is no longer in a position of mastery. It was eliminated by the believer’s release from the rule of law; the source of empowerment for the sin nature.

The real New Testament church was released from the rule of law and delivered from the mastery of the sin nature by baptism into Christ. (Romans 6:3) As previously indicated, the Greek word baptizo (bap-tid'-zo) is best interpreted as “identification with.” Thus, the ecclesia of God was graciously identified with Jesus’ sacrificial death. As a result, the indwelling principle of sin or the sin nature (the old, fallen nature of the believer), otherwise known in Pauline writing as the “flesh,” was “rendered powerless” to control or condemn. The Apostle Paul clarified, “…our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin (sin nature) might be done away with (katargeo (kat-arg-eh'-o); “rendered powerless”), so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.” (Romans 6:6)

According to Paul, Christ was not only crucified for the believer but the believer was also crucified with Christ. It occurred by his baptism into the death of Christ. (Romans 6:3) It is critical to note that the believer’s baptism into Christ did not eradicate his sin nature (the indwelling principle of sin). Therefore, its presence remains. “Rendered powerless,” however, it no longer has the power to influence the believer apart from his willing consent.

In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul stated, “…the power of sin (the sin nature) is the law.” (1 Corinthians 15:56) Consequently, apart from the rule of law the sin nature is made powerless.

The rule of law empowers the indwelling principle of sin (source) by revealing the practice of sin (effect). Paul clarified, “I would not have come to know sin except through the law; for I would not have known about coveting if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet’.” (Romans 7:7) Conversely, he would not have been able to recognize the powerful presence and influence of his sin nature apart from his transgression of the rule of law.

If the believer were to continue under the rule of law after salvation, the source of condemnation and transgression, it would prevent the nurture of intimacy with God and therefore, hinder his sanctification or progressive growth in Christ. Consequently, it was imperative for the believer to be released from the rule of law.

Released from the rule of law, the indwelling principle of sin (source) is powerless. It is without power because its practice (effect) cannot be measured, or its penalty imputed. “…where there is no law, there also is no violation.” (Romans 4:15) Additionally, “…sin is not imputed when there is no law.” (Romans 5:13) Apart from the rule of law, the believer’s sin nature is powerless to control or condemn. (Romans 6:6; cf. Romans 8:1)

The Apostle further explained, “…my brethren, you also were made to die to the [rule of] law through the body (sacrificial death) of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the [rule of] law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. But now we have been released from the [rule of] law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.” (Romans 7:4-6)

The New Testament church is “not under law” because it was “released” from the jurisdiction (dominion or sphere of authority) of the rule of law. (Romans 6:14; 7:6; illustrated in 7:1-3) As Paul indicated, its release occurred by baptism into Christ or identification with His death. (Romans 6:3, 6; 7:4)

The release of the real New Testament church from the rule of law by death with Jesus Christ was necessary for it to be “joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead.” (7:4) Intimately united to Christ through shared life, the New Testament church can “serve in newness of the Spirit” and “bear fruit for God.” (7:4, 6)

As indicated, the church released from the rule of law is no longer guilty of the violation of law. Thus, there is no penalty or debt that can be imputed to its account or condemn it. Rather than the fear of punishment and condemnation, the church released from the rule of law has a very different motive for its progressive growth in Christ. Its motive for obedience is the intimacy, graciousness, and love of shared life community.

In contrast, the unbeliever remains under the bondage of the rule of law and therefore, enslaved to the controlling, condemning power of his sin nature. As a result, his practice of sin is measurable and its penalty imputable. Thus, any attempt by the unbeliever to serve God according to the “oldness of the letter” of the law can only “bear fruit for death.” (7:5, 6) Consequently, he remains fearful of condemnation.

“For through the [rule of] law I died to the [rule of] law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the [rule of] law, then Christ died needlessly.” (Galatians 2:19-21)

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Rule of Life

Although released from the rule of law, the real New Testament church is not without obligation to God. It has the great privilege of experiencing the sanctification of the Spirit of God according to His gracious rule of indwelling life (zoe). (Romans 6:4-5, 8-11; 13-14; 7:4, 6; 8:1-14; Galatians 2:19-20; 3:1-5; 27; 5:18; Ephesians 2:5-6; Philippians 1:21; Colossians 2:13; 3:1-4) In the New Testament, the rule of life (zoe) is referred to as the “law of faith” (Romans 3:27), the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:2), the “law of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:21; Galatians 6:2) and the “law of liberty” (James 1:25; 2:12).

The real New Testament church is said to, “live ... according to the Spirit” (NIV), be “in the Spirit”; be “led by the Spirit”; and to “live by the Spirit.” (Romans 8:4, 5, 9, 14; Galatians 5:18, 25) Relative to Pauline usage, they are synonymous terms. The Pauline terms are first and foremost descriptive of being positioned in the realm or sphere of the Spirit of Christ and, therefore, subject to His controlling influence. “It refers to that general control by the blessed Spirit of those born of the Spirit, living by the Spirit, in the Spirit.”[1] Governance by the Spirit of life (zoe) in the realm of the Spirit is characterized by grace, love and fruitfulness beyond human measure. (cf. Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 6:14; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 John 5:3)

Governed by the rule of life (zoe), the real New Testament church does not relate to God by obedience to the commands and ordinances encompassed in the rule of law. Instead, conducive for progressive sanctification, it has been made “obedient from the heart.” (Romans 6:17) Therefore, the New Testament church is privileged to walk and serve according to the “obedience of faith.” (Romans 1:5; 16:26)

Rather than the fear of punishment, the intimate presence of the living (zoe) God and the intimate, gracious rule of His indwelling life (zoe) provide both the motive and power for the real New Testament church to “walk in a manner worthy.” (cf. Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12) “… it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13)

By his own accounting, when the Apostle Paul was a young believer he failed to comprehend the divine path for the sanctification of life (zoe). Rather than obeying God by faith in His indwelling life (zoe), he attempted to obey God by obedience to His external law. (Romans 7:14-24) As a result, he learned that attempted obedience to God by rule of law is predestined to fail.

Concordant with gracious life-based (zoe) sanctification, Paul eventually understood that he had been “made to die to the law through the body of Christ [identification with His sacrificial death]” so that he could be raised with Christ to a union of shared life. Consequently, he learned that bearing “fruit for God” is not possible under the rule of law. It is the result of being raised with Christ. (Romans 7:4)

It is important to emphasize that when Paul mistakenly believed it was his responsibility to satisfy the requirement of the rule of law he could only respond, “Wretched (miserable) man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24) It was obvious to him that his attempt to fulfill the righteous requirement of the rule of law was compromised by the principle of sin indwelling his mortal body.

In time Paul gained a deeper understanding about the redemptive work of Christ. As a result, he recognized that when he was crucified with Christ the indwelling principle of sin in his mortal body (his sin nature) was “rendered powerless.” It was caused by his release from its source of power, the rule of law. (Romans 6:6; 7:4-6)

No longer in subjection to the rule of law, Paul became obligated to God by the gracious rule of indwelling life (zoe). (Romans 8:2) Dead, buried and resurrected with Christ, he proclaimed, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25)

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Life according to the Spirit

Released from the rule of law, Paul stated, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” (Romans 8:1-2)

In Romans 7 Paul revealed that condemnation for the believer is the result of attempting and failing to obey God according to the rule of law. In Romans 8 he referred to the rule of law as the “law of sin and of death.”

When Paul stated “…there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” he again clarified that the real New Testament church is not under the rule of law, the “law of sin and of death.” Thus, the absence of condemnation required liberation from the “law of sin and of death.” It occurred through the acquisition of new life manifested by the “Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:2)

The eternal presence of the Spirit of Christ in the believer is his source of life in the highest. As a result, he is privileged to exist in the jurisdiction of the Spirit, the eternal realm or sphere of the Spirit of life (zoe), and enjoy governance by the rule of life (zoe).

Concordant with the justice of God, the release of the New Testament church from the rule of law had to be preceded by the fulfillment of its righteous requirement of perfect obedience. However, Paul clarified that mankind is incapable of fulfilling the requirement of the rule of law. His attempt to fulfill it is forever compromised by the indwelling principle of sin or his sin nature. (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16; 3:11; cf. Romans 7:14-20)

Relative to the inability of mankind to satisfy the requirement of the rule of law, God graciously sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to fulfill what mankind could not. “For what the [rule of] law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh (the sinful nature, NIV), God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh.” (Romans 8:3)

Congruent with His redemptive work in Christ, the Father sent the Son to earth “in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin.” (Romans 8:3) In the likeness of sinful flesh, Jesus perfectly obeyed every stipulation of the rule of law and thereby fulfilled its requirement of righteousness for the benefit of sin weakened mankind. As a sacrificial offering for sin, He paid in full the penalty and debt for all human transgression of the rule of law.

Sent “in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin,” God graciously condemned the fallen nature of the sinner or “sin in the flesh” rather than the sinner. The Greek word for “condemned” is katakrino (kat-ak-ree'-no). Relative to the immediate context, it is indicative of both the judgment and execution of the fallen nature.[1] In an amazing demonstration of selfless love, unfailing mercy, and absolute justice, God condemned (judged and executed) the believer’s sin nature and thereby deposed it from its position of authority.

Satisfying the justice of God, the redemptive work of Christ provided for the fulfillment of the righteous requirement of the rule of law and the forgiveness of all human transgression of the rule of law; past, present and future. As a result, the New Testament church could be released from the rule of law that furnished power for the indwelling principle of sin. Consequently, “sin in the flesh” it could be condemned (judged and executed).

The redemptive work of Christ further allowed for the righteousness of Jesus Christ to be justly imputed or credited to the account of the real New Testament church. The imputation was a legal action settled in heaven and on earth that was accompanied by an eternally binding declaration of righteousness. Consequently, the righteous requirement of the rule of law was not only fulfilled for the New Testament church but also in it. Paul confirmed, “For what the [rule of] law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did…so that the requirement of the [rule of] law might be fulfilled in us.” (Romans 8:3a, 4a)

Satisfied within, the requirement of the rule of law does not need to be fulfilled by the church. Instead, it has the amazing privilege of consistently acknowledging the redemptive work of Christ by faith alone. (Hebrews 4)

Unbelieving mankind is naturally positioned “in the flesh” and “according to the flesh.” (Romans 7:5; 8:4, 5, 8, 12, 13) Consequently, he exists in the realm of the flesh where he is subject to the controlling, condemning mastery of the indwelling principle of sin (the flesh) under the taskmaster of the impersonal rule of law, the “law of sin and of death.”

In contrast, the real New Testament church has been recreated “in the Spirit” and “according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:4, 5, 9) As a result, it has received new life, life (zoe) in the highest manifested within by the “Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:2) Thereby privileged to exist in the realm or sphere of the Spirit, the real New Testament church has been released from the jurisdiction of the rule of law, the “law of sin and of death,” and thus is no longer subject to its bondage. Instead, it is forever positioned under the mastery of the Lord Jesus Christ and the intimate, gracious rule of His indwelling life (zoe).

The Apostle Paul outlined the significant differences between unbelieving mankind and the real New Testament church in Romans 6-8:

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“According to the Flesh” Romans 6-8 Unbeliever	“According to the Spirit” Romans 6-8 Believer
“For sin (nature) shall…be master over you, for you are…under[rule of] law” (6:14).	“For sin (nature) shall not be master over you, for you are not under [rule of] law but under [rule of life (zoe) characterized by] grace” (6:14)
“slaves of sin” (6:17).”	“obedient from the heart…freed from sin… slaves of righteousness” (6:17-18).
“For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the [rule of] law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death” (7:5).	“…my brethren, you also were made to die to the [rule of] law through the [sacrificial] body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” “But now we have been released from the [rule of] law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter” (7:4, 6).
Implied: Condemnation (8:1).	“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (8:1)
Implied: Not set free from the law of sin and death (8:2).	“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh…” (8:2-3).
Implied: The requirement of the rule of law is not fulfilled in (8:4).	“…so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us” (8:4).
“walk according to the flesh” (8:4).	“walk…according to the Spirit” (8:4).
“set their minds on the things of the flesh” (8:5).	“set their minds on…the things of the Spirit” (8:5).
“the mindset on the flesh is death” (8:6).	“the mindset on the Spirit is life and peace” (8:6).
“hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the [rule of the] law of God, for it is not even able to do so” (8:7). Implied: the rule of law not fulfilled in.	Righteous “requirement of [the rule of] law fulfilled in” (8:4b).
“and those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (8:8).	Implied: those who are in the Spirit please God (8:8).
“in the flesh…if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him” (8:9).	“…in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you” (8:9).
Implied: Christ is not in you, the body is alive to [the controlling power of the sin nature], and the spirit is dead to God (8:10).	“If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness” (8:10).
Implied: Life is not shared with Christ on earth by His indwelling Spirit (8:11).	“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life (zoe) to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you (life shared with Christ on earth in the mortal body by His indwelling Spirit) (8:11).
Under obligation to the flesh (controlled by the power of the sin nature) - “for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die” (8:12-13).	“under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh…But…by the Spirit” (8:12-13).
Implied: Led by the flesh, not sons of God (indicative of existence in the realm or sphere of the flesh) (8:14).	“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (indicative of existence in the realm or sphere of the Spirit) (8:14).
“you have…a spirit of slavery leading to fear” (8:15).	“you have…a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" (8:15).
Implied: No confirming inner testimony of the Spirit (8:16).	“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God” (8:16).
Implied: No inheritance, suffering without eternal purpose (8:17).	“heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him” (suffering with Christ provides evidence of relationship) (8:17).

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Unbelieving mankind is positioned in the “realm of sin and of death” (Romans 8:2). Thus, he is described as “according to the flesh” and “in the flesh” (Romans 8:4-5, 8-9).

The fallen, fleshly state of unbelieving mankind is evidenced by a walk and a mindset that are dead to God (Romans 8:5-6). Paul clarifies that the unbeliever's walk and mindset are characterized by a particular inclination, bent, or disposition of life that is naturally disobedient to God.

Concordant with the old life, unbelieving mankind necessarily remains under the rule of law (law of sin and of death) and is obligated to fulfill its requirement of righteousness, perfect obedience (cf. Romans 6:14; 7:5; 8:1-8). Nevertheless, he is without the capacity to fulfill the righteous requirement of the rule of law, the “law of sin and of death.” For that reason, the status of unbelieving mankind is “hostile toward God,” and he “cannot please God” (Romans 8:7-8).

Further, unbelieving mankind does not have the Spirit of Christ. Therefore, it provides clear evidence that he does not belong to God (Romans 8:9).

In contrast, the real New Testament church is positioned in the realm of the “Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:2). For its benefit, the righteous requirement of the rule of law was fulfilled within by imputation of Christ’s righteousness to its account. Therefore, the real New Testament church is no longer obligated to God by the rule of law (Romans 8:4a).

Concordant with the impartation of divine life (zoe), the real church is obligated to God by the gracious rule of indwelling life (zoe) (cf. Romans 6:14; 7:4, 6; 8:1-17). Relative to the imputation of divine righteousness and the impartation of divine life (zoe), the real New Testament church was made “obedient from the heart” (Romans 1:5; 6:17).

As a result of its new spiritual status, the real church is described as “according to the Spirit” and “in the Spirit” (Romans 8:4-6). The redeemed, spiritual state of the real New Testament church is evidenced by a new walk and mindset that is alive to God. Paul’s usage of the Greek words peripateo (per-ee-pat-eh'-o), translated “walk,” and phroneo (fron-eh'-o), translated “mindset,” are not suggestive of a choice of obedience under the rule of law but indicative of the inclination, bent, or disposition of the new life under the rule of life (zoe). The new walk and corresponding mindset of the real New Testament church are concerned with the “things of the Spirit” and are characterized by life (zoe) and peace (8:5-6).

Rather than “hostile” and displeasing to God, the real church is forever at “peace with God” and pleasing to God (Romans 5:1; cf. 8:7-8). As evidenced by the presence of the indwelling Spirit of God, it belongs to God (Romans 8:9).

Although the real New Testament church was released from the rule of law (law of sin and of death) and provided with new life, it retains the capacity to walk, like unbelieving mankind, by the flesh or old nature under the rule of law. Nevertheless, its old, fallen nature was “rendered powerless” and “condemned” (Romans 6:6; 8:3). As a result, any perceived transgression of the rule of law is not imputed and, therefore, not recorded to the church’s “certificate of debt” (Romans 4:15; 5:13). In fact, there is no longer a “certificate of debt” for the real New Testament church. It was canceled when it was “nailed…to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14).

Regardless of the capacity of the real New Testament church to walk like the unbelieving world, it has a significant motive not to walk by the flesh. It is contrary to the holiness of God, contradictory to faith, inconsistent with the rule of indwelling life (zoe), opposed to the will of God, spiritually fruitless, and subject to natural penalty (Ephesians 4:1; cf. Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12).

Despite its eternal position in Christ under the rule of His indwelling life (zoe), the real New Testament church remains susceptible to the power of the “sin in the flesh.” Therefore, the consistent nurture of sensitivity to the indwelling Spirit of life (zoe) and His gracious gift of repentance is vital for its daily walk. Repentance under the rule of life (zoe), however, does not entail turning from disobedience to the rule of law to obedience. Instead, it means turning from law to life (zoe). Thus, repentance under the rule of life (zoe) is demonstrated by turning from the faithlessness and futility associated with the rule of law to a walk of faith in the living (zoe) Christ. The outcome is life (zoe) in fullness, evidenced by incomparable power.

Under the rule of life (zoe), the progressive sanctification of the real New Testament church is no longer measured by the righteous requirement of the rule of law. There is no law capable of measuring the fullness and fruitfulness of divine life (zoe) (cf. Galatians 5:22-23).

Law Contrasted with Life

The rule of law or “law of sin and of death” and the rule of life (zoe) or the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” can be contrasted as follows:

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Attributes of the Law of Sin and of Death	Attributes of the Spirit of Life (zoe) in Christ Jesus
Ministry of sin and of death attempted through human effort (2 Corinthians 3:7, 9).	Ministry of the Spirit of life from within the real New Testament church (Romans 8:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:6).
Condemnation.	No condemnation (Romans 8:1).
Dead works.	Living (zoe) works.
The basis for religion.	The basis for relationship.
Human effort (Rom 7:14-24).	Divine effort in cooperation with human faith (Romans 8:1-17).
Endless, failed attempts to fulfill the righteous requirement of the rule of law by man.	Righteous requirement of the rule of law already fulfilled in the New Testament church (Romans 8:4).
For God.	With God.
Service.	Enjoyment.
Theoretically speaking, forgiveness is conditioned on personal performance; therefore, righteousness is unfulfilled.	Unconditional forgiveness of all sin; past, present, and future, and a declaration of absolute righteousness awarded in Christ.
Divine favor sought by personal effort but never attained.	Divine favor fully and unconditionally awarded.
Never good enough for Christ.	Perfectly acceptable in Christ.
Unfinished business.	“It is finished” (John 19:30).
Work.	Rest (Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 3:12-4:16).
Bondage (Romans 7:6).	Freedom (John 8:36; Galatians 5:1).
Motivation for service: fear of punishment (1 John 4:18).	Motivation for ministry: perfect love, indwelling life (zoe).
Reveals sin in man (Romans 3:20; 7:7).	Reveals Christ in man (Colossians 1:27).
Empowers sin (1 Corinthians 15:56).	Empowers God.
Temporal performance dependent on finite human resources.	Eternal ministry dependent on infinite resources.
Leads to the misery of guilt and condemnation.	Inspires thankfulness for the finished work of God in Christ.
Ultimately directs the focus of human life to self and failure.	Ultimately directs the focus of human life to Christ and His victory.
Trying.	Trusting.

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The contrasting “law of sin and of death” and the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus “can be illustrated as follows:

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Law of Sin and of Death	Law of the Spirit of Life (zoe) in Christ Jesus
Treadmill – running alone, never arriving.	With Christ - already across the finish line, the race is over.
Employee – working for God.	Child – resting in Christ.
Factory – characterized by inorganic assembly, always working.	Garden – characterized by organic growth through the perfect provision of God.

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“Only when we believe that our history in Adam, with all its responsibilities and demands to produce righteousness, ended at the cross, shall we find ourselves completely free to enjoy these words of heavenly comfort – UNDER GRACE!”[1]

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Free to Live

The rule of law, the “law of sin and of death,” was established on earth for the benefit of unbelieving mankind or those who remain “according to the flesh” (1 Timothy 1:1-10). Considered a ministry of death and condemnation, its purpose is to produce accountability to God through the revelation of sin (Romans 3:19-20; 7:7; 2 Corinthians 3:7, 9). By producing accountability, the rule of law was graciously designed to serve as a “tutor” to lead mankind to the Savior who alone fulfilled its righteous requirement (Galatians 3:24-25). It was never intended to complement the progressive sanctification of the New Testament church.

The redemptive work of Christ allowed the real New Testament church, comprised of those “according to the Spirit,” to be released from the bondage of the “law of sin and of death” by the “law of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus.” Obligated to God according to shared life and the intimacy of His gracious rule of life (zoe), it is privileged to experience progressive, living sanctification. Consequently, the real New Testament church was set free to live!

“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace” (Romans 11:6).

“…whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life” (John 4:14).

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4).

© 2022 James Hiatt

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