The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2, NKJV
The law of sin pulls us downward. We tend to miss the mark that we set for ourselves. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus pulls us upward.
The Bible describes the fruit of the Spirit as:
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).
You cannot pass a law that forces me to love you—or to have a heart filled with joy. You cannot learn to love by reading a book. You cannot order me to be a peaceful man. You can force me to act like I love you. You can determine how a joyful person should look and require everyone look that way.
Neither can you pass a law that orders me to cease being angry, or hateful, or lustful. You can pass a law that limits the way I may behave when I am angry, or hateful, or lustful. You cannot legislate the condition of anyone’s heart. There is a vast difference between a cheerful manner and a cheerful Spirit.
There are controlling mechanisms in the body that cannot be resisted. It is possible to control some parts of the body by exercising willpower, such as breathing and pulse rate. But the demands of the body soon take over.
Likewise, we can control our emotions and behavior to some extent by willpower. But soon the body takes over.
Personal resolve melts like chocolate bars in the sun when standing in front of a well-stocked dessert bar. Parental insistence on cleaning up the bedroom can make a child furious, and unconditional love disappears. This is the law of sin overcoming your willpower.
For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:3-4 NKJV)
Help may be found only when individuals face the truth about themselves and45 turn to God for the power to change in the midst of trouble. Their problems won’t disappear; their reactions will be changed. They soon discover that it is not a problem-free life they need, but a change of heart or to lean more firmly upon the God who has already changed their hearts.