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I. THE DELIVERANCE OBTAINED —

1. By nature we are all (chaps. 6, 7) in spiritual bondage. We are "sold under sin," and so necessarily are under death (Romans 5:12). The law of sin and the law of death are one and the same principle disclosing itself in different manifestations and degrees. Poisonous fruit is sap worked up, legitimately developed.

2. This evil principle drives man from God.

(1) As it is darkness (1 John 1:5-7; 1 John 2:9), it drives him from the fountain of soul light.

(2) As it is death, from the fountain of life (Acts 17:28).

3. From this evil principle believers are made free. Not from death, though its sting is taken away; nor even from sin perfectly. But over against death faith sees the resurrection placed, and over against sin the unblemished perfection of the redeemed.

II. THE AGENCY WHEREBY THIS DELIVERANCE IS ACCOMPLISHED. Law counteracting law.

1. The term "law" may mean —

(1) A certain code like the Decalogue and the laws of nations.

(2) A principle operating with all the regularity and fixedness of statute — in which sense laws of thought, gravitation, refraction, are laws.

2. The latter is the signification here.

(1) The "law of the Spirit" this new victorious law is called. It is contrary to whatever is of the flesh. In its origin, nature, mode of working, it is Divine. From God it comes. For God it moves. To God it leads.

(2) It is the law of the Spirit of life. As the same Spirit is named the Spirit of wisdom, counsel, etc. (Isaiah 11:2), of holiness (Romans 1:4), of truth (John 14:17; John 15:26), because He makes wise, holy, leads into all truth, so He is here named the Spirit of life, as He leads into life, and works life. Of all soul life He is the Author, Promoter, Regulator, Perfecter (John 6:63; 1 Peter 3:18). This law of the Spirit of life as the stronger man casts out the strong (Luke 11:22). Water poured into a vessel expels the air.

III. THE SPHERE WITHIN WHICH THIS AGENCY IS SO EFFICIENTLY OPERATIVE. Like laws of nature, it works within certain limits. Iron, not glass, will conduct electricity. Dews, droughts, hurricanes are conditioned by varied zones of atmospheric circumstances; so outside the region of "being in Christ Jesus" the law of the Spirit of life does not effect its hallowing results upon our souls. Within that radius, however, its might is sovereign. It frees believers. Conclusion: Note —

1. The urgent importance of ascertaining which of these laws is supreme in our soul. If not conscious of resistance to the law of sin, we are under its sway. We may even be troubled about the commission of certain sins, and give heed to certain duties, and yet be in utter servitude to it (Ezekiel 33:31).

2. The great need of asking the promised Spirit (Matthew 7:11: Luke 10:13). Regeneration, sanctification only obtainable through His power.

3. The duty of consciously living in this freedom, not confusing liberty with license (Luke 1:74, 75). Carefulness against presumption and despondency alike is indispensable (Ephesians 6:11-13).

4. The strong consolation of knowing that ultimate perfection can be calculated upon with all the certainty of a result of "law." Given the reign of the law of the Spirit of life in a soul, then amid and in spite of all conflicts the beauty of the renewed life will be patent and increase (Psalm 138:8; Hebrews 12:23; Hebrews 13:21).

(J. Gage, B. D.)

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

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