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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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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) |
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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 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 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) © 2023 James Hiatt |
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