1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh,
4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.
10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.
11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Reflection

Living Free (8:1~8)
We, who are in Christ, are not under the condemnation of God, nor will we ever be. The guilty verdict for all our sins is removed through Christ Jesus. Yes, we battle with our sinful, selfish flesh, but the death and resurrection of Jesus provides us with the answer to our struggles. A new life is possible. A life lived, not in the flesh, but by the Spirit. Death is the inevitable consequence of following the self. That death takes many forms in our relationships and everyday lives. Ultimately, physical and spiritual death are the curse of sin. But life is the blessing bestowed on us as we follow after the Spirit of Jesus. That life is reflected in a deep and abiding peace that governs our words and actions.

- Take time to reflect on God’s “no condemnation” verdict toward you. How does it empower you to live differently?

Life in the Spirit (8:9~11)
Those who belong to Christ have His Spirit living in them. Although their earthly or mortal body still suffers the consequences of sin and will eventually experience death, the very life of Jesus through His ever-present Spirit is at work in them and will raise their bodies to everlasting life. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead is able to overcome the limitations of our sinful bodies, allowing us to live life in and through the Spirit. All of us who belong to Christ need to allow God’s Spirit to write this truth upon our hearts. As we do, our ability to sense and allow the Spirit of Jesus to do His work in our lives will become stronger.

- Meditate on the truth that the Holy Spirit lives in you at this very moment. Ask Him to make you more aware of His leading. 

A letter to God 

God, my sin is great, but Your grace is greater. I ask that You impress this truth upon my heart, teaching me through Your Spirit as I grow in my awareness of Your presence and guidance in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

All Copyrights of the text in Living Life belong to Duranno Books.