Principal Principles
For the law of the Spirit of life in Yeshua HaMashiach set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2
Law – Sometimes it seems like Sha’ul could have written about Alice in Wonderland. One pill makes you bigger (one law gives you life) and the other pill makes you small (one law gives you death). Of course, Sha’ul isn’t speaking like Alice or singing like Grace Slick. He’s talking about two different principles; two types of nomos (rules). One lets you live; the other kills you. The principal difference between these two is life and death. One held us captive to inevitable death. The other set us free to live. These two are the most important governing rules of human existence. But if we don’t know what they really are, we will flounder around trying to come up with our own principles for living, and that is almost always disastrous.
Sha’ul sets these two principles in opposition: freedom and life on one hand; sin and death on the other. We know Sha’ul’s thinking about the sin and death principle. It’s the attempt to operate on our own terms. It’s being disobedient to God’s revealed instructions. It’s turning away from the source of life. Of course, with all the activity in the world it certainly doesn’t appear as though the law of sin and death holds so many hostage. It looks like they are just doing the best they can, accumulating what fulfills their desires and trying to be happy. The reality of sin and death is disguised as an angelic expression of light. Only God can remove the blinders and when He does the world looks like a very tragic place.
On the other hand, Sha’ul rejoices in the law of the Spirit of life in Yeshua. This law sets me free. It has the power to transform my tragic existence into a journey with Yeshua and peace with God. But did you notice that it does not set me free from rules? It sets me free from the rules that kill me, but it doesn’t set me free from every rule. I still am under the law of the Spirit of life. And what is that law? It should be obvious what Sha’ul has in mind. He is a Pharisee of the Pharisees, a Torah-observant follower of the Messiah, a scholar of the Tanakh, a sinner saved by grace, a citizen of the commonwealth of Israel. What law provides life to his community? It is Torah, of course. That’s what God said it would do, and that’s what it does. When we live according to Torah, God uses us to fulfill His purposes and we are filled with the Spirit – all because Yeshua redeemed us.
Sha’ul does not say the law of sin and death is removed because all law is removed. He does not say that the principle of “love one another” has replaced all of God’s previous instructions. He does not say the Torah was deficient and needed to be replaced, or it was temporary and has now been superseded. He says Yeshua got us out from under a rule that was killing us so we could live according to a rule that will fulfill us. How does the saying go? “If it’s good enough for Paul, it’s good enough for me.” Apparently, the law of the Spirit of life in Yeshua HaMashiach was pretty good for Sha’ul. Keeping the rules results in life. That’s what you think too, right?
Topical Index: law, principle, nomos, Torah, life, death, Romans 8:2
<> If we would only be mindful of His words and keep them as we should, we would find much to our surprise and delight, they lead us to life. Obedience results in blessing or life just as disobedience leads to trouble, heartache and separation. This principle is true in our earthly families as well as our relationship with our heavenly Father. (John 14.15) If ye love me, keep my commandments. (and) for a further benefit of obedience take a look at verse 16. =And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Excellent point Carl … many folks really do not like the implication made by Yeshua in this verse. Obedience proves love and love results with the gift of Ruach HaKodesh! Connecting these dots causes much anxiety and contradicts many accepted notions! 🙂
Take it from someone who knows both sides of the equation …. and can attest to the sequencing of what you aptly pointed out …. I don’t ever want to fall into rebellion again …. talk about trouble, heartache and separation …. just horrible! In fact during the days of rebellion I was self enamored and really in love with only me … whereas today when I look back at my state …. I was simply “tameh”.
Oh Yeshua thank you for redeeming me! 🙂
The law vs the law. The first to death, the second to life. And the winner is……well that depends upon the choice I make. I will first give up my Greek way of thinking so that I can be comfortable with the Torah and its requirements of a person. Then I shall have life. That will be pretty life transforming for me.
It all depends on which side of the cross we are located. The law is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. “that the whole world (everyone) may become guilty before G-d.” “I had not known sin except by the law”. A holy glaring light of perfection that no man could or can attain to. The first purpose of the law is to establish our guilt before a thrice-holy G-d. I come to the cross of the Christ- nothing in my hand I bring- I know that in me that is in my flesh dwells no good thing- I cry out just as the beggar- Jesus, thou Son of David have mercy on me- or as Peter who was about to sink beneath the waves, LORD save me. And the blood of Jesus Christ (G-d manifest as the Son of Man) cleanses from all sin. The atoning and propitiating sacrifice of the Lamb of G-d who died to set me free. Hallelujah! What a Savior! And now I return to law no longer condemned by it but consecrated and controlled by the Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Breath) reminding me daily of G-d’s will contained within His holy and living words. On this side of the cross I do not eschew His words but esteem His words. I do not run from His words, I run to them. I no longer dismiss His words, I delight in His words. Yeshua has said (are we listening?)- the words I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life. How we need to welcome His words. They are seminal. They are vital. They are crucial. Shema, O Israel!
Skip – this is a wonderful way of showing that the law of the Torah was not “nailed to the cross.” Thank you for continuing to shine a light on the shadowy places in my thoughts. Susan