“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 has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2-4

The means by which satan holds the Believer captive is sin.  Yes, Believers are held captive by satan because of sin because their faith is placed in methods of man for victory over the world, the flesh and the devil and they are bound by the law of sin and death.

There is no law stronger than the law of sin and death.  Self effort cannot break this law. Sit ups will not overcome this law.  Religious ceremonies, even Scriptural ordinances of the church (water baptism, fasting, communion, etc.), will not and cannot loose us from the law of sin and death.

God has given us His answer to sin and that is Jesus Christ Who came to die on Calvary’s Cross to pay the penalty of sin for sinners (John 3:16) AND to break the power of sin for Saints (Romans 6:14).  Our faith in the redeeming work of Jesus gives the Holy Spirit latitude to do what He is commissioned to do…free us from the law of sin and death.

The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus requires faith in Jesus, Who He is and what He has done to give us (Believers) dominion over sin…not our self efforts or self will.  The fruit of the Spirit is temperance but if we our bound by the law of sin and death, we’re not going to have that fruit.

“And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23

We cannot follow Jesus until we deny ourselves.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

We cannot resist the devil unless we are submitted to God.

The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus is the only way to be free from the law of sin and death.  As long as well-intentioned Believers look to and point to humanistic psychology, superstition and any and all other methods of man from the vanities of their own mind, they will remain bound – captives of satan because of sin having dominion in their hearts and lives.  I did not say they were lost and condemned to hell, no…they are bound by the law of sin and death.  Many of God’s Children are bound and in need of deliverance.

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: That whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:14-15

When the enemy comes, in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19).  The Lord is bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified back to the church to free the captives from the law of sin and death.  The picture of the end time church is one of Jesus on the outside knocking.  They have left their first love…not lost Him.  Do you hear Him knocking?

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2

-Donna Clark Warren