June 12

Romans 8:2

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

There are two laws mentioned here. The first one, the law of sin and death, is our natural state before conversion, or coming to know Christ. In this unconverted state we sin easily and naturally without being taught, just like a thorn tree bears thorns naturally. This is because in our natural, unconverted state there is no spiritual life. We may see what we should do; may even admire the good, the true, and the beautiful, but our career is one of disobedience and sin against God. When we come to Christ and open our heart to Him, we become born a second time, that is, born of the Spirit and a new dynamic comes into play; the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Our sins have been forgiven, and we begin to follow Christ and obey the Lord. But we are still in the flesh and in this world so sometimes we sin, sometimes grievously so, but under the law of the Spirit of life, we can call on the Lord, receive pardon and renew our fellowship with God. Our general path is upward; It may zigzag, go up and down, but our march and direction is toward the Celestial City, The New Jerusalem. If our pathway is generally sinful and in the world, we have not been made free from the law of sin and death.

Commentary by Francis L. Harris

"...what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:30