(Romans 8:4Romans 8:4
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
WP-Bible plugin) “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
We get the idea from the flesh that holiness is all about the external things. Our church attendance, our giving, our prayers, our study, our witnessing, and all the other things that we know to be good must not be confused with the holy. Those things we see, if they are truly motivated and empowered by the Holy Spirit, are the result of a holy life not the cause of a holy life.
The “righteousness of the law” is not fulfilled or performed by me. The phrase “might be fulfilled” is in the Passive voice. This means I am the recipient of the fulfillment, not the one actively doing it. As I walk in my identity in Christ, which is “after the Spirit”, I find the holiness required by the law is actually performed in me by God Himself. Just as my standing in righteousness is by Christ (Romans 5:1Romans 5:1
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
5
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
WP-Bible plugin), my daily life of sanctification and separation is by Christ. It is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2Romans 8:2
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
WP-Bible plugin) I am now free to enjoy and allow reign in me. The pressure is gone and I can allow the wave of God’s grace to wash over me in total relaxation in Him.
What does God get out of this? Sure, I have the assurance of eternal life and the power of the resurrection life here and now. But to what end does this all serve God to fulfill the righteousness of the law in me?
(Ephesians 1:4Ephesians 1:4
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
WP-Bible plugin) “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”
God receives me as part of His creation that can now walk holy and without blame before Him in love. I can cry with the saints surrounding His throne, “Holy, Holy, Holy!” But now it is more than lip service. “Holy, Holy, Holy” is a reality as I walk after the Spirit in a life that relies on His total fulfillment of all that I could never be.
Renewed Thought – True holiness is not about doing (or not doing), it is about being.
