Thursday, 15th July 2021 :: Fulfilling the righteous requirements of the law
Text: Romans 8:1-11
In the passage before this chapter (7:7-23), we read of the person who tries to obey God’s law for the purpose of making himself acceptable to God (cf., Rom.10:2-4). Then verses 7:25 and 8:1 are a word of joyful, grateful praise for God’s salvation through Christ, not through self. Now that we are assured that we will not be condemned, and we have been set free from the bondage of law-obedience for salvation, we must not think that we are now in a neutral place. We have been set free and joined to Christ in order to live according to the Spirit.
As we think about the theme of living a transformed life of obedience to God’s law, let’s ask the question, how can the death of Christ fulfill in us the righteous requirements of the law (vv.3-4)? Of course, we know that we must walk according to the Spirit, meaning obedience to His Lordship and law. As for fulfilling righteousness, it is fulfilled in us because Jesus Christ paid our death penalty. God’s people were lawbreakers, and the law demands that we be condemned, so Jesus was condemned for us.
Also, because He was righteous, His righteousness was then put to our accounts. Now that we stand before God as righteous, how should we live according to the Spirit?
Meditate on verse 1. How are you going to respond to this verse?
Almighty Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, thank You for taking condemnation away from me through Jesus Christ. Amen.
