1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath 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 sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Romans 8:1-9 KJV)
Life in the Spirit
The apostle begins with one signal privilege of true Christians, and describes the character of those to whom it belongs: There is therefore now no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1). This is his triumph after the conflict in the foregoing chapter—sin remaining, disturbing, vexing, but, blessed be God, not ruining. The complaint he took to himself, but the comfort he transfers to all true believers.
It is the unspeakable privilege of those in Christ Jesus that there is no condemnation to them. He does not say there is no accusation, for there is; but the accusation is thrown out. He does not say there is nothing in them that deserves condemnation, for they see it, own it, and mourn over it; but it shall not be their ruin. He does not say there is no cross or affliction, for there may be; but there is no condemnation. They may be chastened of the Lord, but not condemned with the world (1Co 11:32). This arises from their union with Christ by faith; he is their refuge and advocate, and God is well pleased with them in him (Mt 17:5).
It is the character of those who are in Christ and freed from condemnation that they walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit (Ro 8:1,4). The character is given from their walk—their course and way—not from one act, but from the governing principle: whether flesh or spirit, corruption or grace.
This truth is illustrated in the following verses. The law could not justify or sanctify, being weak through the flesh (Ro 8:3; Heb 10:4). But the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus makes us free from the law of sin and death (Ro 8:2). When the law failed, God sent his own Son. What the law could not do, Christ did (Heb 10:1-10). God sent him in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh (Ro 8:3). Not sinful, but in the likeness of sinful flesh, he took our nature without corruption, and was made a sacrifice for sin (Heb 9:26).
Thus sin was condemned: its damning and domineering power broken. Christ was made sin for us (2Co 5:21); when he was condemned, sin was condemned in his flesh. The effect of this is that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit (Rom 8:4). In justification, Christ’s perfect righteousness is imputed to us; in sanctification, the Spirit writes the law of love on our hearts (Ro 13:10).
We may know whether we are after the flesh or after the Spirit by what we mind (Rom 8:5). Carnal-mindedness is death (Rom 8:6; 1Ti 5:6); spiritual-mindedness is life and peace. Carnal-mindedness is enmity against God, not subject to his law, neither indeed can be (Ro 8:7). Therefore those in the flesh cannot please God (Ro 8:8; Pr 15:8).
But believers are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in them (Ro 8:9). The Spirit’s indwelling is the evidence of our being Christ’s (1Jo 4:16). If any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Those who are Christ’s are conformed to his Spirit—meek, humble, peaceable, patient, charitable. They are guided by the Spirit of God as sanctifier, teacher, and comforter.
This description of those who belong to the privilege of freedom from condemnation applies also to all the other privileges that follow.