"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1).
What wonderful words are these, "No condemnation," and "In Christ Jesus!" There is no condemnation here, for "in Christ" there is nothing to condemn. It is like a similar verse in Galatians where Paul, speaking of the beautiful fruits of the Spirit in the lives of believers, says of them, "Against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:23), because they are according to the mind of God Himself. The law of the Spirit always leads in the same direction-in the path of godliness. In whomsoever that law is unhindered in its operation, there will be seen the fruit of the Spirit. It is a law of life and liberty-not of coercion or prohibition, but with desires and aspirations according to God. Being produced by the Spirit, it also is led by the Spirit when the heart dwells in obedience and dependence upon God. It is implanted in the soul of the believer as a living seed, to grow and develop in the child of God (1 Pet. 1:22,23; 2 Pet. l:5-8).
The believer is identified with this divine life; it introduces into a new sphere of being, a "new creation" (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15) ; for as the Lord, speaking to Nicodemus, says:"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell from whence it cometh and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit" (John 3:6-8); and it is by this new and heavenly birth that we become "children of God" (John 1:12,13).
God could not improve the flesh, so He condemned it. The flesh has been evil from the Fall, and spiritual relationship with God has always been through faith-faith that recognized that God had set aside man after the flesh, and faith in the One that was to come was the ground of this new relationship with God. It is in the cross of Christ that man after the flesh is seen to be utterly condemned, root and branch; but those in whom faith dwelt saw that the new Seed, the "woman's Seed," was to take the first Adam's place; therefore they drew near to God by sacrifice pointing to the promised One to whom they looked in faith.
The law came in as an experiment for man's sake, or, as Paul tells us, "That sin by the commandment (the law) might become exceeding sinful" (Rom. 7:13). The law came in as a prohibition to the desires of the flesh-the fallen nature. But instead of the law's righteous demands being fulfilled, it caused sin to "abound;" the rebellious will of the flesh was stirred by its prohibitions, and man became, not only a sinner (which he already was), but more, a transgressor. Thus it was demonstrated that as a means of procuring righteousness the law was powerless, because the flesh "is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." The natural man then was set aside forever, when the Son of God presented Himself as our Substitute and the law's full judgment fell upon Him.
The death of Christ ended man's probation; he is no longer on trial; he is utterly and forever condemned as unfruitful; he must give place to the "new man, who after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." God therefore has done with the law-it has served the purpose for which it was introduced. Its righteous requirements nevertheless are to be fulfilled in the Spirit-born and Spirit-led people of God, but it is not by the law's authority that they are fulfilled, but by the operation of the Spirit of Christ, "the law of life in Christ Jesus'" operating in the believer.
This new life of which Scripture speaks as "eternal life," "life in Christ Jesus," etc., is an "incorruptible" life, having the character of its source, which is Christ Himself, as Scripture says :"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory" (Col. 3:4). See also chapter 1:27; 1 Jno. 5:12. It is by the Word of God in the power of the Spirit that this eternal life is communicated to the believer (1 Pet. 1:23; Jas. 1:18; Jno. 3:5).
The apostle John, speaking of those possessing this life and identifying them with it, says, "He that is begotten of God does not commit sin, because His seed abides in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." No sin can proceed from the new life in the new man, which is "created in righteousness and true holiness" (Eph. 4:24).
We shall see presently why those in whom is this new life and nature, do sin at times, alas; but it is first necessary to see clearly that the new life is incorruptible; and secondly, that the believer in Christ is identified with this new life, and that God speaks of us at times as if we were entirely characterized by the divine nature; for He desires His people to realize what they are in His eyes, that they are no longer in their sins, nor even what they often are in their actual experience; for it is by this standard we should judge our ways and regulate our life, and God's purpose to conform us to the image of His Son is already in measure true of those in whom Christ dwells. This law of life in us is to spring up into action, under the control of the Spirit, who creates its desires by means of the Truth; and this new life never acts in rebellion to the Spirit's impulses, but always in accordance with them. Hence is it said of those who believe, "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." The Spirit's leading is ever in accordance with His revelation in the Word and it is by this Word, and not by mere inward suggestions, that His mind is known and followed. Even our Lord Jesus, who had no disposition ever to act or speak other than as the Father would have Him, was always governed by the Scriptures, and not by mere impulses. In meeting and overcoming the tempter, He always replied, "It is written."
The title "Christ Jesus" is suggestive of His present position as "the Last Adam." As such He is the Head of His race, as Adam was the head of his race. The poison of sin is in the life we have received from Adam, as Gen. 5:3 hints, "Adam lived . . . and begat a son in his own likeness;" and Rom. 5:12-19 states it doctrinally. A "new birth" therefore, or a "new creation," is necessary to deliver out of such a condition. So the new life and nature received from our new Head, called "life in Christ Jesus," frees us from our former link with Adam, as we read:"The Spirit's law of life in Christ Jesus has freed us from the law of sin and death." Does this mean that the old nature has been eradicated? If it meant that, it would be impossible for any believer ever to sin again, for this "life in Christ" is not the possession of a few superior Christians, but true of all who are Christ's. It does not mean that by the Spirit's presence in us we are freed from the sinful Adam nature, but that we are freed from it as a ruling principle. We are to count ourselves no longer debtors to it, and to give ourselves up to the control of the new law of the Spirit. What the law of "Attraction" is in the physical realm, so it is in the spiritual:the nearer we live to the "Sun" of our souls, the more powerful the influence of the Spirit of Christ upon our lives; and, conversely, if we follow Him "afar off," the influence of the flesh, or as it is called here, "the law of sin and death," comes to have its influence over us. This is why true believers are in danger of falling into sin. If they lived in the joy and power of their place in Christ and His fellowship by the Spirit, the old nature could have no power over them:the greater power of the Spirit would hold and lead them.
Characteristically, the believer is Spirit-led:"As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." What need there is, then, to be always near to Christ, "abiding in Him," for then sin has no power over us. This is what the apostle means when he says elsewhere, "Let us put on the armor of light." To clothe ourselves with the light of His presence, is the surest protection from the power of darkness.
"Therefore, brethren, we are no longer debtors to the flesh, to live after the flesh:for if ye live after the flesh ye are on the way to die. But if through the Spirit ye mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." Notice, it is not, "If ye mortify the deeds of the body," etc., but "If ye through the Spirit do mortify," etc. The manner by which the Spirit enables us to put to death the deeds of the body, which characterized the old man, is not by conflict with it, but by a practical enjoyment of Christ through occupation with Him. Israel was commanded to go around the land of Edom, not through it, which would have brought the two into conflict. For us this means to 'abstain," or keep away from "fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." They make war against the soul if we engage with them, or enter upon their territory, so to speak. To do so means defeat. Our sphere is communion with Christ. In His company we are safe, and nowhere else. Wm. Huss.