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ROMANS
The Holy Spirit frees the saved from
sin and death (8:2-3)
Why does Paul tell us that if you are
saved then you are no longer condemned?
He is going to tell us in the rest of this chapter. Thus far in the book of Romans the Holy
Spirit has only been mentioned two times but now Paul is going to show us how
the Holy Spirit will help us live the life of a saved person.
In vs. 2 Paul explains exactly how the
saved person becomes free. A saved
person becomes free by the Holy Spirit.
Remember in Romans 7:25 Paul mentioned the “law of sin.” Here Paul now mentions, “the law of the Spirit.” These two phrases are
connected. “The law of sin” is referring to the sinful nature living inside each saved person and
along with the sin comes death. But, “the law of the Spirit” is referring to the life that is given to each saved person through the
Holy Spirit. In other words the “law of the Spirit” is referring to the gospel. And
this new life that was given to those who received the gospel, the saved, has
set them free. This is not saying that
that person will never sin again. But it
is saying that same as in Romans 8:1 is that that person no longer is under the
judgment of sin. That person who is
saved will always be saved even if they sin.
Paul continues by saying that the gospel, which is “life in Christ Jesus.” The sinful nature brought about
death and condemnation for all people.
However, Jesus has brought about new life for all those who are willing
to believe and be saved. And this new
life that is only obtained in Jesus Christ can set you free. And if you are saved then you are set free. Paul says that you are “set free from the law of sin and death.” In other words the penalty for sin is death
and Jesus has already paid that penalty for all people and those who receive
what Jesus did will never have to pay the penalty for sin. You are free, you are no longer under judgment
or the wrath of God. In vs. 3 Paul says that
what the law, which is referring to the Old Testament Law that was given by God
to Moses, could not do. The law could
not give life, it could show the requirements that God wanted all people to
live by and it could show that all people are sinful but it could not give
life, it could not justify a sinful person, and it could not make a person
righteous. Why? because, “the law was weak in the flesh.” In other
words since men were sinful the law could not make them righteous it could only
show them that they are sinful. The law
can only show a person their true condition but it can do nothing to change
that condition. However, Paul says that
what the law was not able to do God did.
God was able to give life, justify people and make them righteous. How did God do these things? Paul tells us that God did it through His son
Jesus. Jesus was sent from heaven and
was made like man, in other words Jesus was made in the appearance of flesh,
but Jesus did not sin like everyone else who has flesh (2 Corinthians 5:21). He had a body of flesh like
other people but without sin. Once Jesus
was on earth then He gave Himself as an offering, in the Old Testament the Jews
would give a sacrificial offering every year for their sin. And God required an offering of blood in
order to cover the sins of the people.
Now Jesus was giving Himself as the sacrificial offering for sin once
and for all. And through His sacrifice
He took God’s punishment that was intended for those who were sinful those in
the flesh. In other words Jesus paid the
penalty that God required for those who were sinful, and that is all
people. God did all of this for you and
I. Why would God do this for us? Paul tells us in the next verse.