Embracing the Freedom of the Spirit (Wednesday, July 10)

 Living Free in the Spirit (Wednesday, July 10)

The Word of the Day is "free." Today, in our daily scripture study, we read Romans 8:2-13. Yesterday's comment left Paul in a spiritual impasse. In our reading, St. Paul described two contending inclinations in the soul that contradict each other. In the spiritual paralysis that results from the conflict between these two impulses, Paul cried out, "Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (OSB Romans 7:24)

Today, in our reading, we hear the liberating answer of grace. The apostle writes, "For the Law of the Spirit of life has set me free from the Law of sin and death" (OSB vs. 2). In our study, we will learn how Christ has freed us from the Law that condemns us so that we might live in the freedom of the liberating Law of the Spirit.

The answer to Paul's dilemma brings a profound sense of relief, for "There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (OSB Romans 8:1). 

This startling statement of good news for our souls raises the question: How is it that despite our sinful affront to God's righteousness, He does not judge us to be guilty? The answer cannot be that we can make up for our transgressions by keeping God's Law. Paul has already established that our fleshly nature is weak and cannot keep the Law. Thus, the Law has no power to make anyone righteous. It only has the power of condemning the unrighteous. 

But the core of the Gospel is that Jesus Christ took on our human nature. By His death and resurrection, the Lord "condemned sin in the flesh" (Romans 8:3). In His bodily existence, He suffered God's righteous judgment for our sins. Thus, He fulfilled the divine Law for us.

Paul teaches that due to Christ's Passion, we should consider ourselves "dead to the Law" that would otherwise convict us  (Romans 7:4). Paul compares our new state to that of a widow. By the death of her husband, the widow is now free from her obligations in marriage (Romans 7:21).

The Law Fulfilled for Us: The Will of God Fulfilled in Us

Christ has fulfilled the requirements of the Law for us. We now have a new standing before God. In Christ, we are justified in His sight. What does that mean for us who still live "in the body" on earth? Paul teaches that the Lord who carried out the work of salvation FOR us now works righteous IN and WITH us. He frees and empowers us to live according to the "Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus" and not according to the "Law of death" (OSB Romans 8:2).

Thanks to Christ's work for our salvation, we are no longer captives of corruption who must live "according to the flesh." But by the Spirit dwelling in us, we are enpowered "put to death the deeds of the body," the actions that result from our natural, base passions. We can "set our minds" on the "things of the Spirit" (OSB vs. 5), the "things of life and peace" (OSB vs. 6).

For Reflection

What then becomes of the spiritual struggle we studied yesterday, the conflicting inclinations to good and evil within our hearts? We can now wage that spiritual warfare on a new basis. Paul calls that foundation the "Law of the Spirit," the rule of the Spirit dwelling in us.

St. Porphyrios:  Water the Flowers and Not the Weeds

St. Porphyrios puts it in simpler terms. He writes, "Without Christ, it is impossible to correct ourselves. We will not be able to detach ourselves from our passions. On our own, we cannot become good. There is one thing we must do, and that is turn to Him and love Him with all our soul. Love for Christ, this is the best and sole remedy for the passions" (Porphyries 2005, 134).

For the saint, considering ourselves "dead to sin" is a matter of our focus. Porphyrios states that our souls are like a garden with flowers and weeds. He advises that we should water the flowers and not the weeds. That means that we should not bother with the weeds. But we should "channel the strength of our soul to the flowers." "Ignore evil," he says, "Look toward Christ, and He will save you" (Porphyrios 2005, 134-35).

In summary, we live free of condemnation depending on how we direct our attention. When we set our minds on the leading of the Spirit and not on the desires of the flesh, we live in the New Life of freedom from the Law.

Works Cited

Porphyrios, St. 2005. Wounded by Love: The Life and the Wisdom of Saint Porphyrios. Translated by John Raffan. Limni, Evia, Greece: Denise Harvey, Publisher.