From Spiritual Death to Eternal Life

What is the Law of Sin and Death

But what exactly is the “law of sin and death”? To answer this, we need to revisit the early chapters of Genesis.God created Adam in His own image, breathing life into him and endowing him with spiritual vitality. Adam’s existence was marked by a perfect relationship with God, living in the Garden of Eden with only one command: “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die” (Genesis 2:16-17).Then came the serpent—Satan—in disguise, whispering deceit to Eve: “You will not certainly die” (Genesis 3:4). This lie led Adam and Eve to disobey God, resulting in the tragic introduction of sin into the world. As Paul notes in Romans 5:12, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”In that moment, the Spirit of God departed from Adam, and he died spiritually, losing the perfect image and likeness of God. This is where the concept of being spiritually dead in Adam originates.So, what does this mean for us? Genesis 5:3 tells us, “When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth.” This shows that we are born into a world marred by sin, inheriting a nature separated from God, spiritually dead in Adam.Born Under Condemnation

Moreover, we are not only born spiritually dead but also condemned to hell. As John 3:18 states, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” This reality emphasizes the urgency of understanding our true condition—spiritually dead in Adam and condemned without faith in Jesus.

Paul reinforces this in 1 Corinthians 15:22: “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” In 1 Corinthians 15:49, he continues, “And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.”

This is the profound reality of the law of sin and death that we inherit at birth. However, through faith in Jesus, we are offered a path to restoration—a chance to be freed from this bondage and transformed by the law of the Spirit of life. In Him, we can find true freedom and spiritual vitality once again.

The Truth Many Churches Miss

Yet, in many churches today, this deeper understanding is often overlooked. Instead of addressing the root of our spiritual condition, congregations frequently hear that we are simply sinners in need of forgiveness. While this is true, it falls short of the full picture. We are born into this world spiritually dead and condemned to hell, in desperate need of life.

In my own life, I came to this realization when I sensed that something was missing. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, so I sought help through therapy. However, despite my efforts, I found that nothing could fill that void. It was only when I turned to God and the Bible that I discovered what was truly missing: a relationship with Jesus and the Spirit of God living within me.

The Importance of Proper Diagnosis

Imagine visiting a doctor who misdiagnoses your condition. Instead of offering the right treatment, he prescribes the wrong medication or even recommends unnecessary surgery. This scenario underscores the importance of proper diagnosis, not just in medicine, but in spiritual matters as well. Pastors have a responsibility to help their congregations understand their true condition so they can find the correct solution: being born again and made alive in Christ. Only then can we truly experience the transformative power of the Gospel and embrace the fullness of life that God intended for us.

The Law of the Spirit of Life

So, what is the law of the Spirit of life? It is the moment you put your faith in the resurrection of Jesus and are born again. The Spirit of God comes to live inside you. Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” On that day you believe in the resurrected Jesus, the life of Jesus comes to life within you. That is what Romans 8:1-2 means, that “the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

Assurance of Eternal Life

As John 5:24 states, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” This powerful promise assures us that through faith in Jesus, we move from condemnation to eternal life—a transformative journey that defines our new identity in Him.

That is why Jesus said twice in John 3:1-7 that you MUST be born again. This is God’s solution to the law of sin and death. It is not a maybe or a good idea, but a must if you want to be in heaven one day and see the kingdom of God. This journey is truly about moving from death to life, and it gives us the assurance that we will be in heaven one day, fully experiencing the life and presence of God forever.