The Spirit of God and the Life of the New Creation
Rev. Aniekan "Mbomboyo" Okokon ·
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
Romans 8 is where the new creation is described as a way of living rather than a status, and the word that runs through it is Spirit - twenty-one times in one chapter. Everything the believer is called to in the chapter is done by, in, or through the Spirit. Take Him out and the new creation is an idea. With Him it is a life.
The Spirit of life
Paul calls Him that in verse 2, and it is His first title in the chapter. Where sin and death had a law - a settled principle, gravity pulling downward - the Spirit brings a stronger law, life pulling upward. Freedom is not escaping gravity by effort. It is being carried by a greater force.
Four things the Spirit does in the new creation
- He gives life to mortal bodies (v. 11). The power that raised Jesus is at work in you now - for holiness, for endurance, and finally for resurrection.
- He leads (v. 14). "All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." Leading is gentle and daily; it is the Spirit's promptings, always agreeing with Scripture and always looking like Jesus.
- He assures (v. 16). "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." The certainty of sonship is not an argument you win but a testimony you receive.
- He prays (v. 26). When you do not know what to ask, He intercedes within you with groanings too deep for words.
Walking according to the Spirit
The chapter contrasts two ways of walking. To walk according to the flesh is to run on your own resources, toward your own ends. To walk according to the Spirit is to run on His life, toward His ends. The new creation is not a better flesh; it is a life lived from a different source. Set your mind on the things of the Spirit, Paul says, and the walk follows the mind.
The Spirit of life is in you. That is what makes the new creation new every morning.