Chapter 38 - Life According to the Spirit

Vertical Divider

Vertical Divider

The fallen are enslaved to the controlling, condemning mastery of “sin in the flesh” (sin nature or indwelling principle of sin). (Mark 7:20-23; Romans 5:18-19; 6:14; 17; 7:21-23; 8:3; Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 1:21) Thus, the Apostle Paul referred to them as “according to the flesh” and “in the flesh.” (Romans 7:5; 8:4, 5, 8, 12, 13)

The fallen are separated from God in the realm of sin and death. As such, they are subject to God by the rule of law, the “law of sin and of death.” (Romans 8:2) It serves to unveil the mastery of their fleshly nature by revealing its practice of transgression (sin).

In contrast, the redeemed of the New Testament church are dependent on the gracious mastery of the Spirit. Therefore, Paul referred to them as “according to the Spirit” and “in the Spirit.” (Romans 8:4, 5, 9)

The redeemed are intimately united with God in the realm of the Spirit of life (zoe). As such, they are obligated to God by the rule of life (zoe), the “law of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:2; 12-13) It serves to unveil the mastery of the Spirit by consistently revealing Jesus Christ, the “Lord of glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:8)

  Fallen or Redeemed

It is of critical importance to understand the difference between the fallen and the redeemed. The Apostle Paul outlined some of them in Romans 6-8:

Vertical Divider

Fallen Mankind “According to the Flesh” Romans 6-8	Redeemed Mankind "According to the Spirit” Romans 6-8
“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 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 mind set on the flesh is death” (8:6).	“the mind set 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, to live according to the flesh (controlling influence of the indwelling principle of sin in subjection to the rule of law). (8:12)	“under obligation … by the Spirit” (according to the rule of life (zoe)). (8:12)
“for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die” (habitually living according to the controlling influence of the indwelling principle of sin is evidential of death and therefore, fallenness). (8:13)	“putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (habitually living according to the controlling influence of the indwelling Spirit is evidential of life (zoe) and therefore, redemption). (8:13)
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).

Vertical Divider

According to the Flesh

Enslaved to the mastery of “sin in the flesh,” the fallen exist apart from God. They are necessarily separated from Him in the realm of sin and death. (Romans 5:12, 14-17, 21; 7:23, 25, 8:2-3)

Mastered by the indwelling principle of sin, the fallen naturally “walk according to the flesh” and “set their minds on the things of the flesh.” Thus, the walk and mindset of the fallen are habitually concerned with the “things of the flesh.”

Paul’s usage of the Greek words peripateo (per-ee-pat-eh'-o), translated “walk,” and phroneo (fron-eh'-o), translated “mindset,” are referent to an inclination, bent, or disposition of life. Therefore, when the person of note is fallen, the words peripateo (walk) and phroneo (mindset) are indicative of a disposition of life that is unlawful and consequently, “hostile toward God.” (Romans 8:7) The hostility of fallen life is not pleasing to God. (Romans 8:8)

The fallen walk and think “according to the flesh.” Concerned only with the “things of the flesh,” they are identified as, “according to the flesh.” (Romans 8:4-5, 12-13)

Rule of Law

The sinful hostility of fallen mankind is revealed and suppressed on earth by the rule of divine law, the “law of sin and of death.” (Romans 3:20; 6:14; 7:7; cf. 7:7-13) It has a strict requirement of righteousness that can only be satisfied by perfect obedience.

Concordant with the justice of God, fallen mankind is liable for the fulfillment of the righteous requirement of the “law of sin and of death.” Compromised by enslavement to the indwelling principle of sin, however, he is incapable of satisfying it. (Romans 8:3) Therefore, the fallen always live under the threat of condemnation.

Fulfillment

Relative to the incapacity of the fallen, the Father sent the Son to earth to satisfy the righteous requirement of the rule of divine law. As a result, the Father 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). According to the immediate context, it is indicative of both the judgment and execution of the fallen nature. 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 (credit) the righteousness of Jesus Christ to the account of the New Testament church. The imputation was a legal action settled in heaven and on earth. It 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 law might be fulfilled in us.” (Romans 8:3a, 4a)

The righteous requirement of the rule of law fully satisfied within, the redeemed of the New Testament church “became slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6:18) Without any further need for the revelation of sin, they could be released from its jurisdiction (authority or dominion). (Romans 7:1-6)

By the redemptive work of Christ, the New Testament church was set free from the impersonal rule of law to the much more personal rule of life (zoe). Consistently revealing the glory of the living (zoe) Savior, the gracious rule of indwelling life (zoe) not only allows the New Testament church to draw close to the Father but provides Him with the opportunity to enjoy His beloved children. (Romans 6:14; 7:4, 6; 8:1-17)

According to the Spirit

The redeemed of the New Testament church were released from the jurisdiction of the rule of law in the “domain of darkness” and transferred into the kingdom of God, the realm of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus. Therefore, they were joined to God through an intimate union of shared life and thus, willingly enslaved to the mastery of His indwelling Spirit. (Romans 5:17-21; 6:1-14; 22-23; 8:2; Colossians 1:13)

In this present Church Age, the mastery of the “Spirit of life (zoe)” is expressed on earth through the new walk and mindset of the New Testament church. (Romans 8:5b, 6b) Made “obedient from the heart,” its redeemed walk and mindset are habitually concerned with the “things of the Spirit.” (Romans 1:5; 6:17) Consequently, the New Testament church is characterized by “life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

As indicated, Paul’s usage of the Greek words peripateo (per-ee-pat-eh'-o), translated “walk,” and phroneo (fron-eh'-o), translated “mindset,” are referent to an inclination, bent, or disposition of life. Therefore, when the person of note is redeemed, the words peripateo (walk) and phroneo (mindset) are indicative of a disposition of life that is lawful and consequently, pleasing to God. (cf. Romans 8:4a, 8)

Rule of Life

By the redemptive work of Christ, the redeemed of the New Testament church exist in the kingdom of God, the realm of divine authority, the realm of the “Spirit of life (zoe).” Gifted with a new walk and mindset, they were made “obedient from the heart.” (Romans 6:17) Transformed from within, the new walk and mindset of the redeemed are absolutely pleasing to God. Consequently, they could be set free from subjection to the “law of sin and of death” and instead, graciously obligated to God by the “law of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:2)

In the New Testament, the “law of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus” is otherwise described as the “law of faith,” the “law of Christ, the “perfect law,” and the “law of liberty.” (Romans 3:27; 1 Corinthians 9:21; Galatians 6:2; James 1:25; 2:12) In this book it is Typically referred to in this book as the “rule of life,” it cannot be satisfied by the works of law but only by the “obedience of faith.” (Romans 1:5; 16:26)

The redeemed life of the New Testament church “according to the Spirit” and “in the Spirit” is cooperative. In the realm of the Spirit under the gracious rule of indwelling life (zoe), it is fulfilled through faithful submission to the controlling influence of the Spirit of life (zoe).

Fruit

As indicated, the sinner is referred to as “according to the flesh.” As indicated, he necessarily exists in subjection to God by the rule of law. In contrast, the saint is referred to as “according to the Spirit.” He is obligated to God by the gracious rule of life (zoe). Law and life (zoe) produce two very different types of fruit:

Vertical Divider

Law	Life (zoe)
Fulfilled by mankind.	Fulfilled by God.
By the flesh.	By the Spirit.
Independent	Dependent.
Union of life unnecessary.	Union of life essential.
Rule of law.	Rule of life (zoe).
Uncooperative works for God.	Cooperative works with God.
Selfish.	Selfless.
Contrary to divine grace.	Concordant with divine grace.
Faith unnecessary.	Faith essential.
Dead works. (Romans 7; Hebrews 6:1; 9:14)	Living (zoe) works. (Romans 8:1-17)
Religious.	Spiritual.
Fruit for (of) death. (Romans 7:5)	Fruit for God (fruit of eternal life (zoe)). (Romans 7:4)

Vertical Divider

The “law of sin and of death” was created for the governance of the dead. Designed to reveal and suppress sin, it is contrary to life (zoe).

The rule of life (zoe) was established for the governance of the living (zoe). Designed to reveal and manifest the Savior, it is conducive for life (zoe) in Christ.

Made alive in Christ, the redeemed of the New Testament church are utterly privileged to share life with God. Citizens of His kingdom, they are personally governed by the gracious rule of life (zoe).

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

Contrary Walk

The New Testament church was released from the rule of law (law of sin and of death) so that it could be joined to God through an intimate union of shared life. Nevertheless, it retains the capacity to walk in a manner contrary to its new life with God. Like the fallen, the New Testament church can choose to walk according to the dictates of its fleshly nature in subjection to the “law of sin and of death.” (1 Corinthians 3:1-4)

By the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the redeemed of the New Testament church were released from the jurisdiction of the rule of law. (Romans 7:1-6) Therefore, its old, fallen nature was necessarily “rendered powerless” and “condemned.” (Romans 6:6; 8:3) As a result, any perceived transgression of the rule of law is not imputed. Paul clarified, “… sin is not imputed when there is no law.” (Romans 5:13)

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)

Repentance

Despite its vast blessings and eternal position in Christ, 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 involves 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.

Graciously obligated to God by 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)

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.” Instead, sharing life with God, it was graciously obligated to Him by the rule of His indwelling life (zoe). Therefore, it is privileged to experience ever deepening growth in Christ through 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” and obligated to Him by 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

Vertical Divider