“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, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (vs3-4)
The law of the Spirit overcomes the law of sin and death, which is in our body. The law of sin, the fact that we are sinners, hasn’t been removed in salvation. Our flesh evil to the core, and we cannot do good in the carnal nature - “For I know that in me, that is my flesh, dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I find not“ (Rom 7:18). We delight in God’s law as new creations, but we’re only able to do the law, to fulfill the love that it commands, by the Spirit through faith in Christ. By this, condemnation is PAST and help from God is ours rightfully, “for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom 8:2).
Through Jesus’ death, God has given us the Spirit. He subdues sins and enables us to honor God, even as Christ slew sin for us at Calvary. The Spirit works as Christ is preached, and the Spirit does what no human being can do, not only reveal that we are free and un-condemned but also give the power of obedience, so that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
God hasn’t left up helpless in the battle, but our help is of God, and it is a sure help so strong that we may sing before the fight in the confidence of victory - “You shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand you still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you” (2 Chron 20:17). As you deal with sin, know the Spirit will conquer. Sin isn’t too strong for Him though impossible for you. Believe what Christ did FOR you to earn the Spirit’s work in you, and by your faith, you’ll taste the real power of God.
The Holy Spirit is FREE, but there is faith involved. Faith RECEIVES the promises, obtains strength, and faith saves all who have it - “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions” (Heb 11:33).
Don’t let the battle bring you despair, but believe on the Son of God while sin is a cub, before it grows to lion’s status. Kill sin in the crib by the gospel of “no condemnation” and by the Spirit’s power. Don’t say, “I will push sin to the limit, then look to Christ”, but deal with the foe early, when it first appears in thought, and it will help you in the war, so you can win.
The gospel is marvelous for power, because God in Christ and by the Spirit, as promised, does what human’s cannot. We can’t PUT AWAY sin, nor can we PUT it DOWN. But, God can, which is why we worship Him, which is the fruit of faith: I believe God to conquer my enemy, and I obtain the victory that faith receives - “Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised“ (Heb 11:11).
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