THE LAWS OF LIFE AND DEATH

Romans 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation to them, which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

In the preceding chapter, Paul has thoroughly demonstrated the power of Satan as he appeals to the carnal, or physical side, of mankind, that is prone to sin through inordinate, lustful desires of the flesh. He strongly emphasizes the power of sin, to captivate all that willingly accept sensual gratification during their lifetime on earth. But Paul also warns of its consequences - the condemnation of eternal death. Controlled by sin through human, covetous desires, one becomes a slave to sin - a servant of Satan. With this in mind, Paul asks this question in the preceding chapter, O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death (Vs. 24)? In other words, "Who can save me from the condemnation of sin that will assuredly result in eternal death?"

The opposite of condemnation is justification. In the eyes of God, all people of the earth are either condemned aliens that will inherit eternal death, or they are accepted by Him as His justified, precious, adopted children, that are joint heirs with His Son, Jesus Christ, having, as their inheritance, the hope of eternal life in heaven. As Paul opens this chapter of his Roman letter, he tells us how one finds justification, which will replace condemnation. Verse one, of the lesson text tells us that there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, then in verse two we learn that those in Christ Jesus are made free from the law of sin and death. Condemnation, in the eyes of God, can be replaced with justification through the remission of sins, through the blood of Jesus. Only in Christ Jesus does God recognize us as His children.

How does one come into Christ and become a child of God? Paul has already given us the answer. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4). There are other acts of obedience are necessary for salvation, such as hearing and believing God's Word, repenting and turning away from all past sin, and confessing Jesus to be the Savior; the Son of God. However, it is the final act of baptism that puts one into the body of Christ. With these acts, one becomes a Christian, that is to say a follower of the will of God through Christ, and each is added to His church, which is His body.

Previous laws given by God, that is, the Patriarchal Law and the Mosaic Law, instructed mankind how to live a godly life, but neither could do what the Gospel Law, that became effective at the death of Jesus Christ, which ushered in the Christian Dispensation. The new law of God, which He established and recorded in the New Testament, nullified all previous laws. With the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, there was no need for them to continue. Their reason for existence had been fulfilled. What Old Testament Laws could not do, God's new law can do: in Christ Jesus ...(mankind can be made) free from the law of sin and death.

Animal sacrifices, under old laws of God, could only push forward the sins of mankind for a season. Necessary atonement was continually needed. The final, ultimate sacrifice for sin was made when God sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and was crucified on the cross of Calvary. With this act, the law of life made void the law of death. Reconciliation to righteous God could now be made with sinful men and women. In Christ Jesus, God's law of justification was established, and the law of condemnation was abolished. Complete atonement for sin was made through the sacrifice of the Son of God. The worldly sins of mankind can now be forgiven through Christ Jesus. It is available to those that have been baptized into His death, and thereafter, live an obedient life according to God's will, continually seeking forgiveness through the avenue of prayer. Such are God's Laws of Life and Death!