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.” AFTER THE SPIRIT. No condemnation: the legal charges are no longer in effect since we have been declared righteous, because we have been justified. The flesh may condemn us, the world may condemn us and the devil may condemn us; but neither the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit condemns us who have been made free from the law of sin and death. Christ has condemned sin in the flesh of His own body. Now we walk a new life, in new freedom, under the new law of life that has been imparted to us. There is new power given by the Spirit of God within, to not walk not after the flesh of our sinful unregenerate nature.
In Christ Jesus: this is not some mere profession we make that is only a statement made in the flesh. This is a union that has been formed. This is a position in which we have been placed before God. This is a bond that links us to the Person who has brought us into His kingdom. This is a work of God who has chosen us to be conformed to the image of His dear Son. This fact of being “accepted in the Beloved”, is a recognized placement of all true believers in Christ, as being a member of His body.
Who walk: no longer does the believer walk after the dark dictates of the flesh. No longer are we powerless to avoid the temptations and challenges that arise to bring us down. A new life-principle is at work now. The Holy Spirit gives power to walk a walk that pleases God. This new walk is in the “path of righteousness.” This new walk is not in darkness but “in the light as He is in the light.” This new walk is one that follows in the steps of Him who has called us to “follow Me.” This walk lifts us above the demands of the law to the acts of grace that enables us to be Christ-like.
“I am thankful Father, for the Spirit within that makes this new walk and life a practical possibility. Those things that were beyond my capacity before the Spirit of God came to indwell me, are now normal practices when the Spirit of God has His way in me. May it ever be so. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”