In our study of Romans 8, we’ve found that those who put their faith and trust in Christ no longer bear any condemnation of breaking God’s Law. This is because they have been given a new Law–”obey God out of love, not out of fear of being punished.” Today, we’ll see why this new Law can exist.
Just like when we went through Romans 8:2 last month, our passage today starts with the word “for”–the idea here is an extension of Romans 8:1-2. Even though we’re focusing on Romans 8:3-4 today, let’s also include verses 1 and 2 of the chapter for context.
Romans 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
English Standard Version
We see here that God has replaced the Law from the Old Testament (the “Old Covenant”) with a new one from the New Testament (the “New Covenant”). But, how did He do this if His people were sinful when He made the New Covenant and continue to be sinful even today?
The answer is in verses 3 and 4. The old Law only served to point out that we sin and that we need a sacrifice to “cover up” our sin. The entire Mosaic Law simply echoes this fact–nearly all if it consists of the different sacrifices that the people of Israel needed to atone for their sins.
Yet, no actual atonement was happening here–as the author of Hebrews wrote, “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). The Law was simply a signpost pointing forward to Christ, who would be the true sin offering bringing forgiveness to His people. This is what Paul means by “God has done what the law … could not do” (Romans 8:3). Law itself didn’t bring salvation to anyone who followed it; it only brought condemnation.
But Jesus came and died as the true and perfect sacrifice, bearing the guilt and punishment of all who believe in Him as a substitute. As a result, those who follow Him (walk “according to the Spirit”) are given His righteousness, considered to have fulfilled “the righteous requirement of the law” (Romans 8:4).
What a glorious exchange–Christ taking our sin so we can be considered righteous! This is the reason that we have “no condemnation”; Jesus has borne all our condemnation upon Himself. Praise the Lord for how wonderful His mercy is!
