The Righteousness of the Law Fulfilled in Us Romans 8:4

Paul the apostle told the people in Rome, “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death”, and he added, “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.” In chapter eight and verse four of Romans, Paul shared with his readers about, “the righteousness of the law...fulfilled in us” where we read:

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us,

who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The verse begins, “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, ...” Paul began with the words, “that the righteousness” which means “in order and so the favorable judgment by that which has been deemed right so as to have force of law” “of the law” or “pertaining to the rule producing a state approved of God” “might be fulfilled” which means “should abound, furnish and supply liberally” “in us” or “within Paul, his companions and his believing readers”. Paul shared how “God sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh” gave way for “the favorable judgment by that which has been deemed right” in Paul, his companions and his believing readers.

The verse goes on to say, “... who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Paul added the words, “who walk not” which refers to “who do not make their way, progress or make due use of opportunities” “after the flesh” or “down from, through out, according to and toward the mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God”, “but” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding, rather and moreover” “after the Spirit” or “down from, through out, according to and toward the third person of the triune God who is the Holy Spirit, coequal and coeternal with the Father and the Son”. Instead of “living” according to the “sinful carnal nature”, those who “believe and trust” in Jesus Christ as “Savior and Lord” live according to “God's Holy Spirit”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see the importance of the “righteousness of the law” and how Jesus provided a way for every person to “progress and make their way” not according to their “carnal, sinful nature” but toward the “Holy Spirit of God”. Being “righteous” is the only way to be in a relationship with God, and this cannot be accomplished “in the flesh”. Jesus Christ demonstrated the “walk in the Spirit”, and those who “believe and trust” in Him have access to the power of “God's Spirit” to live in the same manner. When a person relies upon the Holy Spirit to live “righteously”, they have the ability to do so, but if they rely upon their “sinful and carnal nature”, they shall never accomplish the perfection required within God's law.

Next time Paul shares tells his readers concerning, “they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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