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The New Testament church recognizes that Jesus Christ is its source of life. As it progressively learns to live by His indwelling life (zoe) it understands how to distinguish between the external rule of law and the internal rule of life (zoe).
The external rule of law demands perfect obedience to its every command, regulation, and ordinance. Therefore, even one small act of disobedience leads to condemnation. In contrast, the internal rule of life (zoe) is gracious. Rather than demanding perfection, it freely grants undeserved favor to the imperfect. Governance by the rule of life (zoe) is characterized by love and spiritual fruitfulness beyond measure. (cf. Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 6:14; 8:1-2; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 John 5:3) Motive The natural motive for attempting to fulfill the righteous requirement of the rule of law is the fear of failure. More specifically, it is the fear of the consequence of failure, condemnation. In contrast, the motive for living with God by the gracious rule of His indwelling life (zoe) is love (agape). (Galatians 5:16; 25) The Apostle John clarified, “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) “Cast out” by the “perfect love” of God, the fear of condemnation has been vanquished. Consequently, the Apostle Paul proclaimed, “… there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) |
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Inward Transformation
The privilege of living by the gracious rule of life (zoe) required the elect members of the New Testament church to experience a significant inward transformation. To become suitable for gracious rule by indwelling life (zoe), they were made “obedient from the heart.” (Romans 6:17) Unconditionally changed from within, their subjection to the rule of law became unnecessary. Intimacy with God Contrary to the rule of law, the rule of life (zoe) is conducive for the nurture of shared life intimacy with God. Rather than demanding and exhausting, it is gracious, loving, benevolent and restful. (Matthew 11:28-30) The biblical description of marriage serves to clarify. The Apostle Paul illustrated the intimacy of shared life by explaining, “… 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. 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 occur from a motive of selfless love (agape), cultivated in an environment of shared life. Not Under Law Like marriage, intimacy with God was intentionally designed to be a gracious blessing nurtured from the motive of selfless love (agape). It too is cultivated in an environment of shared life. The elect members of the New Testament church are privileged to share life with Jesus Christ, the mediator of the Eternal Covenant. Inwardly transformed by the redemptive work of Christ, they were made suitable to accommodate the living (zoe) God. Intimately governed from within, the New Testament church is obligated to God by His indwelling life (zoe) rather than the external rule of law. In Christ, the New Testament church is no longer under the rule of law. Paul explained, “For sin (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 his mastery by the indwelling principle of sin (source) or the sin nature (cf. Romans 6:1-13). The New Testament church was delivered from the mastery of the sin nature by baptism into Christ’s death. (Romans 6:3) As previously indicated, the Greek word baptizo (bap-tid'-zo) is most accurately interpreted as “identification with.” Thus, the ecclesia of God was graciously identified with Jesus’ sacrificial death. As a result, the sin nature, 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) As previously indicated, Christ was crucified for the believer. In Romans, however, Paul reveals that the believer was also crucified with Christ, the result of his baptism into the death of Christ. (Romans 6:3) It must be noted 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 can no longer influence the believer apart from his willing consent. |
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Released
According to the Apostle Paul, 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. Therefore, the believer’s sin nature has been made powerless and no longer has dominion over him. When the sinner is removed from the jurisdiction (dominion or sphere of authority) of the rule of law the practice of sin cannot be measured, or its penalty imputed. Paul clarified, “…where there is no law, there also is no violation.” (Romans 4:15) Additionally, he stated, “…sin is not imputed when there is no law.” (Romans 5:13) Paul revealed more specifically the New Testament church was released from the jurisdiction of the rule of law by the death of Christ so that it could be raised with Him to a union of shared life (“joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead”). (7:4) Intimately united to Christ, the New Testament church can “serve in newness of the Spirit” and “bear fruit for God.” (7:4, 6) “…my brethren, you also were made to die to the law through the (corporeal) body of Christ (by His sacrificial death), 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 (under the rule of law), the sinful passions, which were aroused by the law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. But now we have been released from the 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) Released from the jurisdiction of the rule of law, it no longer has authority over the New Testament church. Consequently, there is no penalty or debt of transgression that can be imputed to its account or serve as a source of condemnation. As a result, it has been set free from the fear of condemnation. The church released from the jurisdiction of the rule of law has a very different motive for its progressive sanctification or growth in Christ. Rather than fear, its motive for obedience is the intimate, indwelling life (zoe) of God, characterized by graciousness and love. In contrast, the unbeliever remains under the jurisdiction of the rule of law and therefore, enslaved to the controlling, condemning power of his sin nature. Consequently, his practice of sin is measurable and its penalty imputable. As a result, he ever remains fearful of condemnation. “For through the law I died to the 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 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 is privileged to experience sanctification by the Spirit of God according to the gracious rule of His 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 Christ.” (1 Corinthians 9:21; Galatians 6:2) It is also described as the “law of faith,” the “law of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus,” the “perfect law,” and the “law of liberty.” (Romans 3:27; 8:2; James 1:25; 2:12) The “law of Christ” is often referred to in this book as the “rule of life (zoe).” Concordant with the rule of indwelling life (zoe), the 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 descriptive of the church’s position in the realm or sphere of the Spirit of Christ. Eternally positioned in the realm of the Spirit, the New Testament church is subject to the controlling influence of the Spirit. William Newell states that to be “led by the Spirit” “refers to that general control by the blessed Spirit of those born of the Spirit, living by the Spirit, in the Spirit.”[1] In the realm of the Spirit, governance by the Spirit of life (zoe) 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) Obligated to God by the rule of life (zoe), the New Testament church does not relate to Him by obedience to the commands and ordinances of law. Instead, made “obedient from the heart” by the redemptive work of Christ it is privileged to walk and serve according to the “obedience of faith.” (Romans 1:5; 6:17; 16:26) By his own account, when the Apostle Paul was young in the Lord he failed to discern the divine path of sanctification. Therefore, he did not walk by faith in God according to the rule of life (zoe). Instead, Paul attempted to please Him through obedience to the external rule of law. (Romans 7:14-24) The outcome was guilt related to his failure to satisfy the requirement of the rule of law. Additionally, he learned that his guilt grew more intense over time. It led to the misery of condemnation. It is important to emphasize that Paul’s failed attempts to satisfy the requirement of the rule of law made him miserable. His response was “Wretched (miserable) man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24) Congruent with his sanctification by the “Spirit of life (zoe),” Paul eventually recognized that Jesus Christ had already satisfied the righteous requirement of the rule of law. Therefore, it was not his responsibility. Crucified and resurrected with Christ, he died to the rule of law and its requirement. Paul’s legal source of misery removed by the Cross, his attitude changed. Therefore, he proclaimed, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25) Rather than the fear of condemnation, the intimate presence of the living (zoe) God and the gracious rule of His indwelling life (zoe) provide both the motive and power for the New Testament church to “walk in a manner worthy.” (cf. Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12) Paul confirmed, “… it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13) |
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No Condemnation
Obligated to God by life (zoe) rather than law, the Apostle Paul proclaimed, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1) He explained it was because the New Testament church was “… set free from the law of sin and of death” by “… the law of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:2) Thus, it was freed from the bondage of the rule of law to the gracious rule of indwelling life (zoe). In Romans 7 Paul had revealed that failing to obey God according to the rule of law leads to condemnation. In Romans 8 he referred to the rule of law as the “law of sin and of death.” Paul plainly indicated that the “law of sin and of death” is a “ministry of death” and a “ministry of condemnation.” (2 Corinthians 3:7, 9) It ministers death and condemnation by performing the primary function for which it was created; the revelation of sin (transgression of law) in the realm of death or separation from God. The requirement of the “law of sin and of death” is righteousness demonstrated by perfect obedience. However, mankind is compromised in his attempt to satisfy the requirement of law by the indwelling principle of sin or his sin nature. (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16; 3:11; cf. Romans 7:14-20) It prohibits humanity from perfectly obeying divine law. Consequently, man is condemned even before he first attempts to obey the rule of law. As indicated, however, Paul said, “… there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Freedom from condemnation required release from the “law of sin and of death,” the source of condemnation. 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) For the benefit of sin weakened mankind, the Father sent the Son to earth “in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin.” Manifested “in the likeness of sinful flesh,” Jesus perfectly obeyed every stipulation of the rule of law and thereby fulfilled its requirement of righteousness. As a sacrificial “offering for sin,” He paid in full the penalty and debt for all human transgression of the rule of law. Concordant with the justice of God, the requirement of the “law of sin and of death” was fully satisfied. As a result, God could graciously condemn 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.2 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. The divine judgment and execution of the believer’s sin nature allowed God the freedom to justly impute or credit the righteousness of Jesus Christ 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) Life According to the Spirit 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.” No longer subject to its bondage, 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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Unbelieving mankind is positioned in the “realm of sin and of death.” (Romans 8:2) 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 by 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 the benefit of the church, 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) Made legally suitable to share life with God, He could impart His life (zoe) to the New Testament church. As a result, the church could then be obligated to God by the gracious rule of His indwelling life (zoe). (cf. Romans 6:14; 7:4, 6; 8:1-17) Under rule of divine life (zoe), it became “obedient from the heart.” (Romans 1:5; 6:17) As a result of its new spiritual status, the New Testament 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 mindset of the ecclesia are habitually concerned with the “things of the Spirit” rather than worldly things. Further, they are characterized by life (zoe) and peace. (8:5-6) Rather than “hostile” and displeasing to God, the New Testament 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. In reality, however, it was released from the rule of law. Therefore, 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.” Paul clarified, “… sin is not imputed when there is no law.” (Romans 5:13) In fact, there is no longer a “certificate of debt” for the 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 unbelieving mankind, 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 influence of its fallen nature. 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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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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“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. (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) By the “law of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus,” the real New Testament church was released from the bondage of the “law of sin and of death.” It was graciously obligated to God according to His shared life and consequently, the rule of indwelling life (zoe). Therefore, it is privileged to experience the progressive, living sanctification of the Spirit. God desires to enjoy the practice of intimate, shared life fellowship with His body, the real New Testament church. However, the rule of law is contrary. It does not allow for intimacy with God. His enjoyment of the church necessitated that it be made “obedient from the heart” according to the gracious rule of life (zoe). Consequently, it was set free to live! “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:4) “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.” (Romans 11:6) © 2022 James Hiatt |
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