“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot…
“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you… If Christ is in you,.. the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 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 to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:1-7,9-11
For those in Christ, a new freedom and vantage point are owned and take effect in everyday living from the moment of salvation. What is true for children of God is that the law of life has overtaken the law of sin and death, banishing the curse of certain death that slavery to sin brings. This freedom effectuates glorious inauguration to a life of the Spirit, full of His vibrancy, victory, and peace. Hostility to God and His ways is divinely transformed to glad submission. And we are called to walk accordingly. (Romans 6:6,13,23; 8:13; Ephesians 4:1)
We behave the way we behave because we believe what we believe. If it is true we have been freed from the stronghold of sin, we should reckon that so and act within and out of that liberty. Relentlessly the devil lurks and taunts to deceive and make us fall, convincing us we’re condemned, too weak to triumph over evil desires and inordinate affections. He tricks us into compromise, doubt, justified outbursts of anger, arrogant rights to special treatment, a flirt here and a tidbit of juicy gossip there. He snarls and delights at every stumble and wave of despair at repeated failure. (1 Peter 5:8)
Who do we believe? Will we succumb to the enemy of our souls, or triumphantly stride alongside Jesus according to all He’s accomplished for us? He helps in weakness, and perseveres to sanctify, to conform us to His image, to defend and intercede for us. Through Him, we are more than conquerors! While we wrestle against dark forces of evil, our risen Savior indwells and empowers us by His Spirit. Therefore, we can believe and walk accordingly. Will we by faith get in step? (Romans 8:26-34,37; Ephesians 6:12)
Lord, keep Your steadfast love and salvation before my eyes that I might walk accordingly in integrity, in Your faithfulness, and for Your glory. (Psalm 26:3,11)
As the rain and snow 