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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)
Enslaved to the controlling, condemning mastery of “sin in the flesh” (the sin nature), the fallen were necessarily separated from God in the realm of sin and death. (Romans 5:12, 14-17, 21; 7:23, 25, 8:2-3) Consequently, they became accountable to Him by the impersonal rule of His law, the “law of sin and of death.” (Romans 8:2) By design, the fundamental purpose of the rule of law was to reveal the transgression of law (sin). (Romans 3:20; 7:7) It fulfilled its purpose by unveiling sin in both principle (nature) and practice (nurture). In contrast, the redeemed of the New Testament church were made “obedient from the heart” through the application of the Good News of Jesus Christ by the Spirit. (Romans 6:17) By the Spirit of Christ, the redeemed were set free from the power and mastery of “sin in the flesh” (sin nature) and became slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:18) Therefore, Paul referred to them as “according to the Spirit” and “in the Spirit.” (Romans 8:4, 5, 9) Enslaved to the glorious mastery of the Spirit of Christ, the redeemed were intimately united with God in the realm of the Spirit of life (zoe). As such, they are graciously obligated to Him by His personal rule of life (zoe), the “law of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:2; 12-13) By design, the fundamental purpose of the rule of life (zoe) was to reveal Jesus Christ. It fulfilled its purpose by unveiling the living (zoe) Christ, the “Lord of glory,” in both position and practice. (1 Corinthians 2:8) |
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According to the Flesh
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, the redeemed 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 vastly different types of fruit: |
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The rule of law, 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), the "law of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus, 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). Unworthy Walk The New Testament church was released from the jurisdiction of 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, 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) Released from the jurisdiction of the rule of law by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the old, fallen nature of the the redeemed of the New Testament church was “rendered powerless” and “condemned.” (Romans 6:6; 7:1-6; 8:3) As a result, any perceived transgression of the rule of law is not imputed to its account. 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) © 2025 James Hiatt |
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