“Walking in the Spirit"
Romans 8:1-11
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. [Romans 8:1]
Walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh is the key difference in being made righteous in this life of faith. Notice that the first part of v.8:1 is Justification, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” Faith in Jesus Christ and in His finished work on the Cross is the remedy for condemnation.
Faith, however, is also the remedy for sanctification, described in the second half of the verse, “who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Walking according to the Spirit is by faith; walking according to the flesh is by sight. We know, however, that “the just shall live by faith” [Hab 2:4; Rom 1:17; Heb 10:38]; and “without faith it is impossible to please God.” [Heb 11:6]
Therefore, just as it is by faith through grace of God that we are justified so it is that we are sanctified. Justification, remember, declares us righteous, sanctification makes us righteous. In sanctification God sets us apart through the inner work of the Holy Spirit. It is all by faith through His grace.
This is sometimes difficult to understand, especially for those who have a bent toward legalism. In Romans 7 Paul described how in sanctification we are dead to the law and alive in Christ. That means that transformation comes not from following the law but by living in Christ, a vast difference! The former is a look of righteousness on the outside, the latter a work of righteousness on the inside.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” [Matt 5:17] This provides a key insight! The born again “justified” life begins fulfilling the law in the power of the Spirit.
It is a change from within. It is Holy Spirit sanctification; it is real transformation. It is only God’s work in us that can change us. It is the One Change Agent in the vast arena of counsel that works. And you know what? It’s free! The work of the Holy Spirit is freely given because it is by grace. Can transformation in God’s love ever have a price tag?
Grace trumps law: it works and it is free.
