Timeless

Here is a link to last week’s series on Romans chapter 8.

Romans 8:3 …God did what the law could not do…ICB

Seed Basket’s “Timeless” devotional continues in Romans 8.

Last week we reviewed an easy verse that comforts sinners who are saved by grace: “There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 CSB

This week, our study is challenging. However, as believers, we should understand the next verses. Let’s go through them phrase by phrase. It should only take about three minutes to read, but I hope you will spend more time consuming this passage.

Romans 8:2 “because the law of the Spirit of life…: CSB

What is the law of the Spirit of Life? It is the opposite of the law of sin and death. The wages of sin that we owed were paid for by Jesus. Do you remember what those wages were? Of course you do. Death.

But the Spirit of life is Jesus living in us by the virtue of the Holy Spirit. It is God living in us. It is freedom from guilt and from the domination of sin.

Let’s continue in verse 2. “… in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” CSB

True Christians saved by grace are not bound to habitual sin, such as gluttony, addiction, adultery, hypocrisy, or cowardice. Jesus has freed believers from the power of sin.

Many Christians fail to embrace God’s Word and develop a relationship with Him. We often give up and give in, indulging in the fact that Jesus has freed us from the sin that easily traps us. We simply desire it too much—more than Him.

That stubborn refusal to obey disdains God’s grace.

Let’s move to verse 3.

Romans 8:3 “For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did…” CSB

Does this verse mean that God’s law is really flawed? No. Not at all. But it is limited.

The law has no power to save. It has no power to justify (vindicate) or sanctify (set apart). Remember, we are saved by faith in Christ Jesus. He bore the curse for you and me.

We know that Jesus’ blood is the only cure for our sin.

Romans 8:3 “…He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering,”

So, does this verse mean that Jesus was a sinner like us? No. Jesus was fully human but without sin. He experienced grief, temptation, and loneliness, and faced rejection and hatred. Despite the pain of living, he remained pure and perfect, allowing for our salvation.

Isaiah 53:5 But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds CSB

Romans 8:4 in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. CSB

Do you see the difference yet?

This verse is clear. Because Jesus took our punishment, His redeemed children can live by the Spirit of God. Consider the freedom this brings us from sin and death. The law of Moses is God’s law, which He did not invalidate but fulfilled by having His own Son pay the price for our sins. Fully. Once and for all time.

Look where this leaves us.

Romans 8:5 & 6 For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. ⁶ Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. CSB

Check out Hebrews 10 and Galatians 3

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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