Glen Bond Picayune Mississippi Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007 Subject: Free from sin in Christ. Romans chap. 7 Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. dominion: Sovereign or supreme authority; the power of governing and controlling; Romans 7:4 4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,... etc.) 5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. -------------- In Christ we are free from the law. As the woman is free from the law of marriage when her husband dies, so are we free from the law by the death of Christ. In vs 6, it says: "that being dead wherein we were held;" The thing that held us is now dead. Just as the womans husband is now dead. We are dead to the law thru Christ. Matt. Henry says: We have no more to do with the law than a dead servant has to do with his masters work. we live our life without the law (or as if there was no law) until we are awakened by the holy spirit. (romans 7:9) the commandment (or the law) came to my heart by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Matt henry says: The apostle here beings with one signal privilege of true Christians, and describes the character of those to whom it belongs: There is therefore now no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus, v. 1. This is his triumph after that melancholy complaint and conflict in the foregoing chapter--sin remaining, disturbing, vexing, but, blessed be God, not ruining. The complaint he takes to himself, but humbly transfers the comfort with himself to all true believers, who are all interested in it. 1. It is the unspeakable privilege and comfort of all those that are in Christ Jesus that there is therefore now no condemnation to them. He does not say, "There is no accusation against them," for this there is; but the accusation is thrown out, and the indictment quashed. He does not say, "There is nothing in them that deserves condemnation," for this there is, and they see it, and own it, and mourn over it, and condemn themselves for it; but it shall not be their ruin. He does not say, "There is no cross, no affliction to them or no displeasure in the affliction," for this there may be; but no condemnation. They may be chastened of the Lord, but not condemned with the world. Now this arises from their being in Christ Jesus; by virtue of their union with him through faith they are thus secured. They are in Christ Jesus, as in their city of refuge, and so are protected from the avenger of blood. He is their advocate, and brings them off. There is therefore no condemnation, because they are interested in the satisfaction that Christ by dying made to the law. In Christ, God does not only not condemn them, but is well pleased with them, Matt. xvii. 5. 2. It is the undoubted character of all those who are so in Christ Jesus as to be freed from condemnation that they walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. Observe, The character is given from their walk, not from any one particular act, but from their course and way. And the great question is, What is the principle of the walk, the flesh or the spirit, the old or the new nature, corruption or grace? Which of these do we mind, for which of these doe we make provision, by which of these are we governed, which of these do we take part with? 1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (MH) The only way to escape the corruption of this body is to recieve the word of God, which will preserve you through all eternity. * salvation is without any of our own righteousness. * you cannot know salvation without knowing condemnation. * you must experiance guilt before you can enjoy a pardon.