In the previous verses at the end of Chapter 7, Paul speaks of his personal struggle with sin.
This is a condition we are all familiar with.
Then he says this:
Romans 8:1-4
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
There is no condemnation to us who are in Christ.
Jesus died and took our sin and punishment away.
God does not condemn us.
Jesus died for us.
The ultimate sacrifice given to us.
In faith we believe, and the Lord washes our sins away in baptism.
Where we die to sin, leaving them behind in the past.
But notice the qualification.
What must we do to qualify?
Walk according to the Spirit.
He says this in verses 1 and 4.
Do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
That is our qualification to be in Christ and have no condemnation.
Not that we are perfect and sinless.
But that we are pursuing the Spirit, God's ways.
We cannot be in Christ and pursue the world and the flesh.
The things of sin.
Instead, we are studying to show ourselves approved.
We are faithfully poring over the scriptures to know God's will.
Our prayers to the Father are asking Him to help us serve Him better.
Helps us change our hearts and remove any wrong thing from our lives.
When we are baptized, we are made whole and cleansed.
But then comes the work of following.
Following the Lord, sacrificing the things of our old life to serve God.
Jesus still continually cleanses us with His blood, as we still sin and have error.
Because we are still not perfect.
This is walking according to the Spirit.
Walking in the knowledge of God we have now.
And growing that knowledge so we are improving each day.
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