Law of the Spirit
Day 562, Tuesday, Feb. 24
Romans 8:1-17
After yesterday’s dark and desparate reading, today’s passage begins with a welcome contrast: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
This is a welcome revelation, “There is now no condemnation.” But it doesn’t end there. The sentence continues, “for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Salvation doesn’t just remove the consequence of the law; it removes the power that the law gave to sin.
A little further on we read, “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”
Paul’s message is never “Try harder.” It is “Surrender more fully.” Sin is defeated not through our efforts, but through God’s gift.
In the second stanza of “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” Charles Wesley states the same teaching this way: “Take away our bent to sinning…Set our hearts at liberty.” God doesn’t just release us from the consequence of sin; he releases us from the bondage to sin.

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Tuesday meditation

Psalms 84:1-12
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.
Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. Look on our shield,[e] O God; look with favor on your anointed one.
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Prayer focus
God, take away our bent to sinning. Free us from the shackles of the law and grant us your grace.