Rock bed . . . firm foundation . . . bottom line truth that you can hang your hat on . . . or stake your salvation on. That’s Romans 8. Gotta love it. Gotta be encouraged by it. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus . . .” (8:1). True statement. Glorious reality. And what jumped out this morning is a phrase that I think is only found here, in these opening verses of Romans 8 . . . a concept that is at the core of the “no condemnation” and the “in Christ Jesus” that I enjoy this morning as a blood-bought believer . . . a reality that governs my today and secures my tomorrow.

For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2 ESV)

At its simplest, a law refers to anything by which we are governed or ruled. There are laws of nature . . . step off a cliff and you’re going down. There are laws of society . . . step on the gas too hard and you’re going to have a chat with a man or woman in a uniform. And, there are laws that trump other laws . . . step off a cliff with the right apparatus on your back and you’ll soar like an eagle, the law of aerodynamics superseding the law of gravity.

And, in the things of the eternal, there are also laws. There is the law of sin and death. Live under the law of sin and it will lead to death. Be governed by the desires of the flesh . . . be ruled by the lust of the eyes . . . be controlled by a desire to boast in what one does or has . . . and you’re going down . . . the end of those things is death (Rom. 6:20b, 23a).

But in the things of the eternal, there is another law . . . the law that governs those who are “in Christ Jesus” . . . the law of the Spirit of life. There is another set of operating influences and governing realities for those, who by faith, have believed the testimony concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ. This law, unlike the law of sin and death, does not encase in bondage but, instead, sets free . . . does not result in “going down” but serves to “lift up” . . . does not result in death, but promises life . . . life to the full . . . eternal life. It is the law of the Spirit of life.

It is a law which is not enacted in the halls of some governmental building far away, but is instead written on the hearts of believers through the dynamic of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God. The Spirit sets us free . . . the Spirit will shift our focus from the things of time to the things of eternity . . . the Spirit elevates our awareness beyond the things of earth and sets our minds on things of heaven . . . things which lead to life and peace (8:5-6). The law of the Spirit provides a “governance model” defined by principles of adoption . . . “for all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” . . . “by Whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” . . . “and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (8:14-17).

And under this law . . . this law of life . . . this law written on the heart . . . this law weaved within our born again spiritual DNA . . . there is no condemnation . . . none . . . zilch.

By the grace of God . . . through the work on the cross . . . by the power of a risen life . . . I got the law, and the law won! Amen?