So given that we have the Law of the Spirit of Life in Jesus how does it work? If we reflect on laws we discover that while laws are put in place they need to be enforced. The speed limit, parking laws, the criminal code, all require enforcement. What about gravity and the speed of light? Yes they too require enforcement and the scriptures tell us how they are enforced. Jesus is both the source of these laws and the one who enforces them. They are built into creation.
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Hebrews 1:1-4 (NKJV)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. Colossians 1:15-18 (NKJV)
Do you see the enforcement of gravity and other laws in the passages above? For example, there is a little phrase in Hebrews 1:3 “upholding all things by the word of His power.” Some translations say ‘powerful word’ but I believe miss the point. The Greek meaning of ‘word’ in the phrase above speaks to a present and ongoing release and could be translated as ‘u[holding all things by the utterance of His power.’ The point being made in Hebrews is that everything we see in the physical realm is held together by the ongoing release of Jesus power! Colossians 1:17 tells us that “in Him all things consist.” He made all things, visible and invisible. The universe, angels, everything. In in Him they ‘consist’ or are ‘held together.’ Jesus continually enforces the laws He built into creation by His ongoing life and presence.
The word ‘firstborn’ in verse 15 above refers to position or standing, not birth order. Jesus has the ultimate authority, which takes us back to the ‘law of the Spirit of life’ in Him. How is it activated in our lives? The answer is simple but difficult. Simple to say, sometimes hard to do.
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 (NKJV)
Another aspect of law is that some aspects of the legal system have authority over others. A higher court can overturn the ruling of a lower court. This is how the ‘law of the Spirit of life’ functions. It takes precedence over the law of sin and death. Imagine dropping a ball. The law of gravity takes over and it drops to the floor. However, if you put your hand under it and catch it you cancel the effect of the law of gravity.
In a similar manner the law of the Spirit of life can interrupt and negate the effects of the law of sin and death. It is issued by the highest court, the heavenly one! However, for it to be effective in our life we must believe it. If we focus on the power of His life in us rather than on the power of sin and death we find ourselves increasingly walking in freedom. After all, what we focus on grows. What are we giving our energy and attention to?
