The Law of the Spirit of Life: Romans 8:2
“2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Romans 8:2
I confess, we are about to look at an angle of this subject that is new to me. This verse summarizes all of Romans 6-8. The law of the Spirit of life (Zoe) in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
Jesus Christ and His Spirit are all about life. Take a moment and review Scriptures like John 1:4-5, 3:16, 4:14, 10:10, 11:25. We could add many more. In Romans 8:2, Paul called it “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.” Notice that Paul contrasts this to “the law of sin and of death.”
We are now confronted with a unique proposition. In the New Testament, Zoe life is always connected to the spirit, while death is always connected to the flesh and soul. Romans 8 is very clear about this point.
The challenge for the translator in Romans 6-8 is knowing when and where to translate “spirit” as referring to the human spirit or “Spirit” as related to the Holy Spirit. As noted earlier, for the believer they become interwoven. But the basic principle is the same, life is always connected to the spirit and disease, sickness and death are always connected to the human body and soul.
Let me make a few observations. First, germs, bacteria, viruses, diseases and injuries are connected to the physical body. God did create the human body with an amazing immune system and the ability to heal itself.
Second, the soul of people can give way to discouragement, deception, depression and mental illness. We could throw the demonic into the mix as well. The soul comes under the law of sin and of death.
Third, but the spirit is different… the spirit is not affected by sickness, injury, mental illness or death. (Read that again!) It is connected to the law of life in Christ Jesus.
Finally, let me quote Romans 8:6; “the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit/Spirit is life and peace.” Verses 9-11 become even more compelling. Paul actually says that the spirit/Spirit has the power to impart life to our mortal bodies. (Wow! My mind is getting stretched!)
Let me give a huge disqualifier; I do not believe in the prosperity gospel. I believe the health, wealth and prosperity message as preached by many modern advocates is false, exploitive, damaging and preys on desperate people willing to give their life savings to buy health and a new plight in life. Jesus called us to give food, clothing and shelter in the process of spreading the gospel to the poor and destitute and not exploit them. This movement is the exact opposite of the Great Commission.
However, I do see a strong case for healing through faith in the authority of Jesus Christ as the Great Physician… And I see a biblical case for health for those who walk and live in the spirit/Spirit versus the flesh or soul. Zoe life can influence the body and soul.
I am not going to venture too deep into this subject at this time lest you think I have slipped into heresy. But, let me encourage you to read Romans 6-8 several times through the lens of health and Divine healing. At some point Zoe life fits into the equation.
I believe that authoritative living with the spirit/Spirit in control of your life rather than the flesh or soul in control places you under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus versus the law of sin and of death. Walking in Zoe life has huge ramifications for both physical and mental health. This was Gods original design for people.
Let me pose another question. Did God suddenly create germs, bacteria, viruses and disease after the fall or were they created before He rested on the sixth day? Before you jump to a rash conclusion, let me suggest that prior to the fall, Adam and Eve were immune because they were living with the spirit in control. They had Zoe life.
So why am I leaving you wrestling with this question about the fall and “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus?” Because you will never understand Divine healing until these seeds of faith are planted in your soul and spirit!
It will take time for them to grow, but apart from this biblical understanding, praying for healing will remain a random mystery to you. It will be much like purchasing a lottery ticket and crossing your fingers and hoping that your number comes up. I don’t believe God works that way!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Romans 8:2
I confess, we are about to look at an angle of this subject that is new to me. This verse summarizes all of Romans 6-8. The law of the Spirit of life (Zoe) in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
Jesus Christ and His Spirit are all about life. Take a moment and review Scriptures like John 1:4-5, 3:16, 4:14, 10:10, 11:25. We could add many more. In Romans 8:2, Paul called it “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.” Notice that Paul contrasts this to “the law of sin and of death.”
We are now confronted with a unique proposition. In the New Testament, Zoe life is always connected to the spirit, while death is always connected to the flesh and soul. Romans 8 is very clear about this point.
The challenge for the translator in Romans 6-8 is knowing when and where to translate “spirit” as referring to the human spirit or “Spirit” as related to the Holy Spirit. As noted earlier, for the believer they become interwoven. But the basic principle is the same, life is always connected to the spirit and disease, sickness and death are always connected to the human body and soul.
Let me make a few observations. First, germs, bacteria, viruses, diseases and injuries are connected to the physical body. God did create the human body with an amazing immune system and the ability to heal itself.
Second, the soul of people can give way to discouragement, deception, depression and mental illness. We could throw the demonic into the mix as well. The soul comes under the law of sin and of death.
Third, but the spirit is different… the spirit is not affected by sickness, injury, mental illness or death. (Read that again!) It is connected to the law of life in Christ Jesus.
Finally, let me quote Romans 8:6; “the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit/Spirit is life and peace.” Verses 9-11 become even more compelling. Paul actually says that the spirit/Spirit has the power to impart life to our mortal bodies. (Wow! My mind is getting stretched!)
Let me give a huge disqualifier; I do not believe in the prosperity gospel. I believe the health, wealth and prosperity message as preached by many modern advocates is false, exploitive, damaging and preys on desperate people willing to give their life savings to buy health and a new plight in life. Jesus called us to give food, clothing and shelter in the process of spreading the gospel to the poor and destitute and not exploit them. This movement is the exact opposite of the Great Commission.
However, I do see a strong case for healing through faith in the authority of Jesus Christ as the Great Physician… And I see a biblical case for health for those who walk and live in the spirit/Spirit versus the flesh or soul. Zoe life can influence the body and soul.
I am not going to venture too deep into this subject at this time lest you think I have slipped into heresy. But, let me encourage you to read Romans 6-8 several times through the lens of health and Divine healing. At some point Zoe life fits into the equation.
I believe that authoritative living with the spirit/Spirit in control of your life rather than the flesh or soul in control places you under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus versus the law of sin and of death. Walking in Zoe life has huge ramifications for both physical and mental health. This was Gods original design for people.
Let me pose another question. Did God suddenly create germs, bacteria, viruses and disease after the fall or were they created before He rested on the sixth day? Before you jump to a rash conclusion, let me suggest that prior to the fall, Adam and Eve were immune because they were living with the spirit in control. They had Zoe life.
So why am I leaving you wrestling with this question about the fall and “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus?” Because you will never understand Divine healing until these seeds of faith are planted in your soul and spirit!
It will take time for them to grow, but apart from this biblical understanding, praying for healing will remain a random mystery to you. It will be much like purchasing a lottery ticket and crossing your fingers and hoping that your number comes up. I don’t believe God works that way!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
