Chapter 83 - Practice of Life

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Relative to its purpose of revealing the bondage and futility of sin, God provided the rule of law (law of sin and of death) to lead the sinner to the Savior (Galatians 3:23-26). Thus, its purpose is established or confirmed when the sinner comes to Christ and experiences justification from sin. (Romans 3:31)

The sinner's justification is satisfied by divine grace through faith in Christ alone. (Romans 3:21-22; 4:1-25; 5:12-21; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21) It is an essential doctrine of the church.

Justified by grace through faith, the New Testament church has not only received forgiveness of all sin; past, present and future, but an imputation of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Concordant with the imputation, the righteous requirement of the rule of law (“law of sin and of death”) was legally fulfilled in the New Testament church. (Romans 8:4a) Therefore, it was provided with a divine, eternally binding, legal declaration of righteousness. As a result, the New Testament church was qualified to be released from the bondage of the rule of law. (Romans 7:6)

Forgiven of all sin, declared righteous, and “released” from the bondage of the law, the sinner has become legally suitable to receive the life (zoe) of God indwelling. It is a privilege received through the organic process of regeneration and spiritual birth. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” ( John 1:12-13)

Worthy Walk

Released from the rule of law, the believer is set free from the divinely provided means of revealing sin. (Romans 7:6) Apart from the revelation of sin, his flesh or sin nature has been rendered powerless to control and condemn. “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

While no longer under servitude to the rule of law, the believer remains obligated to walk in a manner worthy of his eternal calling. (Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12) Released from the rule of law, however, his worthy walk is not fulfilled by obedience to the rule of law, but obedience to the rule of life (zoe). (Romans 8:4b-17) Concordant with rule by the indwelling life (zoe) of God, the believer's walk is legally representative and organically representational of God on earth. Thus, it is a walk worthy of the eternal calling of God.

Although “released” from its bondage and futility, the rule of law is not without purpose in the believer's daily walk. While the believer is no longer a sinner, he retains the ability to walk like a sinner under the rule of law. (1 Corinthians 3:1-4) If the believer does choose to walk like a sinner, the rule of law continues to operate according to its primary function. It reveals his sinful practice with the intent of leading to repentance. The repentance of the believer, however, is not the same as the repentance of the sinner.

Under the rule of law (law of sin and of death), the sinner's repentance is from death to life (zoe). It is unto salvation. In contrast, the believer has already received life (zoe). Therefore, his repentance under the rule of life (zoe) is not from death to life (zoe) but from law to life (zoe). It is the equivalent of turning from a walk of sight (feelings, circumstances) to one of faith.

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Practice of Life

There is no greater privilege than to be introduced to life (zoe), receive life (zoe), and enjoy the practice of life (zoe) in community. Therefore, it is a tragic mistake for the church to return to the practice of law. It is in fact a miserable deviation from the eternal plan of God for His beloved bride.

By benefit of the Eternal Covenant, the practice of the early church was life (zoe) dependent. Therefore, it emphasized the living (zoe) Savior, fervent prayer, and apostolic teaching and tradition.

Congruent with apostolic teaching and tradition, the life (zoe) dependent practice of the New Testament church is fulfilled “by the Spirit.” It typically included the observance of the Lord’s Supper as a full, celebratory meal; purposeful prayer; participatory praise and worship in song; intentional community interaction; loving, spiritually gifted ministry; joyful giving; corrective spiritual discipline; cooperative discipleship; and team-oriented outreach. Consequently, the life (zoe) dependent practice of the New Testament church was a true celebration of life shared with God.

The life (zoe) dependent practice of the early ecclesia was most effective when manifested in small group community. It presented an intimate environment that could be directed and secured by the immediate presence, incomparable power, and eternal purpose of infinite life (zoe).

© 2023 James Hiatt

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