The law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Rom. 8:2)
Expanded Passage: Romans 7:14—8:2
Tummy aches are a normal part of raising children. No, not the ones that parents have when their child goes to school, rides without training wheels, or steps onto the field, stage, or mat to perform and compete. I mean the aches that come from too much candy, too little protein, or ice cream consumed too quickly.
But what about when the tummy aches come when there is a properly balanced diet? That was the question my wife and I were asking when the tummy aches became a bit too common and even predictable for one of our children. The results of some blood tests confirmed our suspicions: our son had food allergies, leading to a search for gluten-free bread.
Food allergies also bring a different kind of tummy ache: a nagging bit of anxiety that gnaws at your stomach with the slightest suspicion that the wrong ingredient has been consumed. We had to search hard to find good-tasting, gluten-free substitutes for our son’s unique needs. Only then could we experience the freedom of eating without anxiety.
When we live in the power of the Spirit, then we live without the anxiety and condemnation of sin. We live a truly free life. Far from limiting us, the law of the Spirit sets us free to live without worry!
Live by the law of the Spirit to live in freedom from sin!
Aaron Perry serves as director of Wesleyan academic initiatives for Education and Clergy Development of The Wesleyan Church.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
