The Law of Salvation of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus

By Dan C. Bailey It is always sad when people fail to study, believe, and obey the word of God. We read the following in Romans 8:1-2: "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."     This is a comforting and beautiful passage of scripture. There are those who have obeyed the gospel. • Romans 10:16 -- "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" • 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 -- "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." • 1 Peter 4:17 -- "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" Therefore, they are cleansed by the blood and have no condemnation. Revelation 1:5 -- "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." That is, any child of God who is walking in the light is in a saved condition. • 1 John 1:7 -- "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." • In Acts 2:38, we read, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." When people obey the gospel, they are baptized into Christ and they are added to the Lord's church (~Acts 2:47~; ~Matthew 16:18-19~).     After becoming Christians, they are exhorted to "walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit" (~Romans 8:4~). To walk after the Spirit is to walk after the teachings of the Spirit. If a Christian refuses to be led by the Spirit of God, then that Christian has departed from the living God. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Romans 8:14). A Christian must walk in "the way of the righteousness " (~2 Peter 2:21~). A Christian must walk in the "right way" (~2 Peter 2:15~). The only "right way" or "righteous way" is to walk in the truth (2 John 4; 2 John 6; 3 John 3).  The truth of God's word has been, and always will be, God's law for mankind. "Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth (Psalm 119:142).     To walk after the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus is to be walking on the way that leads to heaven. The word of the Spirit, the truth, sets us free from sin. "And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).     Let us follow this law of the Spirit. Let us heed the "law of Christ" (~Galatians 6:2~). And let us never decline from the law of faith (~Romans 3:27~). Surely, James has told us so clearly, "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (James 1:25).     There are many both inside and outside the church who teach that Christians are not under any law today. In essence, this is just the doctrine that man is justified by grace alone.

Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Home