Part 2-3: The Law of the Holy Spirit

Bible Reading:

Romans 8:1-2 — "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death."

Romans 8:4-5 — "that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit."

Romans 8:13 — "For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

Romans 8:15 — "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.'”

Romans 8:26-29 — "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

John 6:63 — "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."

Romans 7:6 — "But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter."

After Spirit Baptism, One Must Live by the Law of the Spirit

In this four-part series on the theme of “The Fire of Revival,” we’ve emphasized two key points. The first two nights focused on the first point: “The Baptism of the Holy Spirit.” Starting tonight, we turn to the second point: “The Law of the Spirit.” The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a promise from God to every believer, and when received, it brings great revival. But how long can that revival last? Can one continue walking in the path of spiritual life? That depends entirely on whether the person who has received the Spirit baptism is living according to the law of the Spirit.

Today, many churches have embraced the Pentecostal experience and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. After being filled with the Spirit, they gain power and actively use the gifts of the Spirit—healing the sick, casting out demons, speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues, preaching, and more. They labor tirelessly from the beginning to the end of the year, praying fervently and working diligently. Their influence on the world and humanity is undeniably strong. Yet, in terms of spiritual maturity, many remain in a childish and carnal state, with shallow understanding of spiritual matters. They neglect deeper spiritual experiences—failing to root downward and bear fruit upward. From the perspective of spiritual growth, they are still infants. (1 Corinthians 3:1) This is a serious deficiency in spiritual life.

Therefore, after receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we must both maintain the revival atmosphere—bringing the gospel to a dark generation and igniting lukewarm churches with love for the Lord—and also deepen our spiritual roots through experiential learning. Otherwise, we risk becoming like Ephraim— a cake unturned. (Hosea 7:8 ) To fulfill both aspects, the law of the Spirit is the key. Spirit baptism is not the end, but the beginning of the journey of spiritual revival. From there, we must obey and live by the law of the Spirit.

For example: A car without gasoline cannot move; pushing it manually is exhausting. But once fueled, it no longer needs human effort and can carry many passengers. Likewise, a church without the power of the Holy Spirit must rely on human methods and strength to operate, which is burdensome and difficult. But if the church is filled with the Spirit, empowered by Him, then every meeting and ministry becomes light and effective. However, once the car is running, it must still obey traffic laws to drive safely and avoid accidents. Similarly, believers and churches that have received Spirit baptism must obey the law of the Spirit and live in it. Otherwise, they cannot progress on the path of life and may even provoke unnecessary resistance, hindering others from receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The Path to Living by the Law of the Spirit

Among all the chapters in the Bible, Romans chapter 8 speaks most clearly about the Law of the Spirit. This chapter gives detailed teaching on how to live according to the law of the Spirit. At the beginning of Romans 8, the Holy Spirit is given a striking title: “the law of the Spirit of life.” Verse 2 says: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” This means that the Holy Spirit, called the Spirit of life, has a law that sets us free. We call this law "the law of the Spirit".

In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is referred to by many names, such as: The Spirit of Christ (1 Peter 1:11), The Spirit of truth (John 14:17), The eternal Spirit (Hebrews 9:14), The Spirit of glory (1 Peter 4:14), The Spirit of life (Romans 8:2), etc... All these titles refer to the Holy Spirit. Tonight, we focus on the title “Spirit of life”, which connects the Holy Spirit with life itself—like a bridge linking the Spirit’s power with the path of life. We are not only to serve with the Spirit’s power and gifts, but also to grow in spiritual experience so that our lives reach maturity. This Spirit of life has a law—the law of the Spirit—which leads us onto the path of life.

In summary, Romans chapter 8 begins by telling us that the Holy Spirit is called the "Spirit of life", and He has a law—"the law of the Spirit"—that guides us to walk the path of life and into a life of spiritual living. This life is marked by authority, power, glory, beauty, and victory, fully manifesting the virtues of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must both receive the baptism of the Spirit and live according to the law of the Spirit. Now, let us look into Romans chapter 8 to understand how to live by the law of the Spirit.

1. Standing in the Position of Being "In Christ"

   The first essential step to living by the law of the Spirit is to stand firm in the position of being “in Christ.” Romans 8:1–2 says: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” The phrase “in Christ Jesus” appears twice in these verses, emphasizing that to live by the law of the Spirit, we must stand firmly in the position of being "in Christ Jesus". Only in Christ can the law of the Spirit make us free and operate freely without hindrance.

   How Do We Live “In Christ”? It’s not through our own striving or effort that we enter into Christ. Rather, when we receive the Lord Jesus, God places us in Christ. It is God who puts us there—not us climbing in by our own strength. In 1 Corinthians 1:30, Paul said, “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus…” In truth, God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. But in experience, we are placed in Christ when we believe in Him. This requires the Holy Spirit to open our eyes so we can see that we are already in Christ.

   John 15 describes the experience of being in Christ. Jesus said: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Jesus is the vine; we are the branches. When we are joined to Him—abiding in Christ—we bear much fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is not something we learn, struggle to produce, or manufacture. It flows naturally from abiding in Christ and receiving His fullness. This is what it means to stand in the position of being in Christ—it is a life of communion with the Lord.

   Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, once felt powerless in his ministry in China, serving became burdensome and difficult. But the Holy Spirit opened his eyes to see that Jesus is the vine, and he is a branch—not trying to become a branch. He realized that all that Christ has is already his. From that moment, he was released. Because he stood in Christ, the law of the Spirit set him free.

   Dear brothers and sisters, to live by the law of the Spirit, we must stand in the position of being in Christ. This life in Christ requires understanding that we are already in Christ—and maintaining that reality through daily prayer, Bible reading, and communion with the Lord.

   Many Spirit-baptized believers treasure the experience of Spirit baptism but neglect the importance of living by the law of the Spirit. As a result, they repeatedly fall into immature and carnal patterns. A sister, after being filled with the Spirit in a meeting, joyfully sang “Hallelujah” and praised God. After the meeting, she exclaimed how wonderful it was—she had never experienced such joy. She felt superior to those who hadn’t received Spirit baptism. She got carried away with her feeling of relief. But when she returned home and saw her children making a mess and fighting, she lost her temper and beat them. Soon after, she felt sorrowful and knelt before the Lord, weeping and confessing: “Lord Jesus, forgive me! I lost my temper again and hit my children. Have mercy on me! Deliver me from this corrupt flesh…” If someone opposed to Spirit baptism had witnessed this, they might say, “What’s the use of Spirit baptism? Even being filled with the Spirit doesn’t change much.”

   This shows that Spirit baptism is not graduation—it’s just the beginning. After baptism, we must stand in Christ. Only by abiding in Him can we live by the law of the Spirit and experience true freedom and victory.

   Thank the Lord, some sisters in recent years have not only received Spirit baptism but also live by the law of the Spirit. They maintain beautiful communion with the Lord—whether working at home or walking outside, they are constantly in fellowship with Him. After baptism, they became more spiritually sensitive, quickly dealing with even the smallest offenses against the Lord. As a result, their homes are filled with the Lord’s presence. This is the fruit of living by the law of the Spirit. If you already have communion with the Lord before receiving Spirit baptism, praise God! After baptism, that communion can grow deeper, and your union with Christ becomes stronger—enabling you to continue living by the law of the Spirit.

   One more experience of being "in Christ" to be mindful of, is to bow before the throne of Christ and submitting to His rule. Our natural flesh loves to be seen and assert opinions—especially in ministry, where we often want to take charge, using our hands and try to accomplish God's work. But remember: when man takes the lead, he steps out of Christ. We must wait, seek, and rely on the Lord in all things—letting Him reign, decide, and govern. Only then can we truly stand in Christ and live by the law of the Spirit.

2. Following the Holy Spirit

   The second key to living by the law of the Spirit is to follow the Holy Spirit. Romans chapter 8 begins by introducing the law of the Spirit, and then explains how to live within it. Verse 4 says: “That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” This means that we, the redeemed, are those who do not follow the flesh but follow the Spirit. As mentioned earlier, standing in Christ means living in communion with the Lord—being drawn to Him, sensing His loveliness, His preciousness, His glory. This daily love, obedience, and longing for Him is the essence of communion.

   But on the other hand, since the Holy Spirit dwells within us, we must also follow the Spirit, listen to His voice daily, be attentive to His movements, and not to grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30), nor should we quench His prompting (1 Thessalonians 5:19 ). Instead, we must actively obey Him. The apostle John, in his mature years, also taught: “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” (1 John 2:27) This means we should obey the voice of the anointing—that is, the indwelling Holy Spirit. As we follow the Spirit’s teaching through His anointing, we abide more deeply in Christ and grow in union with Him.

   A sister who had received Spirit baptism went out during a typhoon to buy groceries. It was dusk, and the wind and rain were intensifying. She intended to take a taxi, but the Holy Spirit forbade her and prompted her to walk. As she walked, she saw a young man lying on the roadside, bleeding from his head—he had been hit by a taxi. She called out to some young passersby to help lift him and arranged for another taxi to take him to a nearby hospital. She offered to cover the medical expenses and asked someone to notify his family. The next day, the young man’s brother came to the hospital, grateful for her help and refusing to let her pay. She took the opportunity to share the gospel with them. Because she obeyed the Holy Spirit, she bore a beautiful witness of Jesus Christ.

   Dear brothers and sisters, after receiving Spirit baptism, our inner being becomes more open and sensitive to the Spirit’s voice. We must continually pay attention to His promptings, His warnings, and His voice. This is the teaching of the anointing. When He teaches us, we must follow immediately and obey consistently. The result of following the Spirit is that we naturally live by the law of the Spirit and unknowingly express the life of Jesus.

   One morning, a sister went to the market and saw someone selling rat poison. She remembered the rodent problem at home and decided to buy some. But the Holy Spirit strongly forbade her. She ignored the Spirit’s warning and bought it anyway. On her way home, the Spirit continued to convict her, making her feel uneasy and troubled. Yet she still refused to obey. When she arrived home, a government official came to inspect her property documents. She set down her grocery basket—along with the rat poison—and went upstairs to retrieve the papers. At that moment, her two children came home, saw the poison, mistook it for candy, and ate a large amount. Soon they cried out in pain. When she realized what had happened, her face turned pale, and she rushed them to the hospital. But it was too late. The children could not be saved. Everyone was heartbroken over the tragic loss. Because she did not follow the Holy Spirit and acted on her own judgment, she failed to live by the law of the Spirit. Her grief and regret were overwhelming, and the name of the Lord was dishonored, with her testimony severely damaged. Let us hope that in all things, big or small, we will follow the Holy Spirit—so that we may truly live by the law of the Spirit.

3. Setting the Mind on the Holy Spirit

   The third principle is to set our minds on the Spirit. Romans 8:5 says: “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” This verse links living according to the Spirit with setting our minds on the Spirit. To live by the law of the Spirit, we must not only follow the Spirit—we must also set our minds on the things of the Spirit. Clearly, setting our minds on the Spirit is a vital part of spiritual life. To experiece this, we must first understand that when we were saved by grace, the Holy Spirit came to dwell within us. Therefore, we must constantly turn our thoughts inward—toward the Spirit. This is what it means to set our minds on the Spirit. In every aspect of life—our routines, actions, conduct—we must continually return to the inner life and think on the Spirit. The result is that we naturally live by the law of the Spirit and walk in victory.

   A brother, revived by the Lord, began to pursue Him fervently. Each morning, he would rise to spend quiet time with God. But one day, a tofu vendor stopped outside his house, ringing a bell and shouting loudly. Many neighbors came to buy tofu, and the noise disrupted his quiet time. Frustrated, he angrily rebuked the vendor for stopping at his door. Though he had a burning desire to love and seek the Lord, he failed in that moment. Later, the Lord led him to experience what it means to set his mind on the Spirit. After that, he was no longer disturbed by the vendor’s noise and could still draw near to the Lord and read His Word—demonstrating the victory of Christ.

   Another brother, who had walked with the Lord for many years, commuted daily by ferry. One evening, on his way home, a nearby ship dumped waste oil into the sea. A strong wind blew the oil onto his clothes. Normally, such an incident would provoke anger. But surprisingly, this brother remained calm and silent. His colleague beside him was outraged and wanted to confront the crew. Yet the brother just let it go. Why? Because he was setting his mind on the Spirit and living by the law of the Spirit. As a result, he bore a beautiful witness of Jesus Christ.

4. Putting to Death the Deeds of the Body by the Holy Spirit

   Romans 8:13 says, “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” This means we must continually live under the law of the Spirit and rely on the Spirit to put to death the deeds of the body. This is not achieved by human willpower or strength, but is the natural result of abiding in Christ Jesus, walking according to the Spirit, and setting our minds on the things of the Spirit. While we live on earth, we often encounter sinful deeds of the flesh, as described in Galatians 5:19–21: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like...” All these must be put to death by the Spirit. Do not think that receiving the baptism of the Spirit automatically makes one spiritual. Remember, if someone who has received the baptism of the Spirit does not live under the law of the Holy Spirit, they may instead live under the human spirit or the spirit of the world, manifesting many works of the flesh. Therefore, after receiving the Spirit, we must stand firm in Christ, continually follow the Spirit, and set our minds on the Spirit. In doing so, the Spirit—who brings the death of the cross—will put to death the fleshly behaviors in us, enabling us to live a spiritual life.

   Brothers and sisters, the Holy Spirit who dwells in us today is the Spirit sent by the Lord Jesus after His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. This Spirit dwells in us with the power of the cross to put to death. As long as we follow the Spirit, set our minds on Him, and give Him full authority, we will be able to put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit.

   At a recent gathering in Cebu, a brother who is in car business shared his testimony. He said that after receiving the baptism of the Spirit, he was filled with joy and often communed with the Lord. One time, a store clerk in his company made a mistake on an order form, causing the wrong goods to be shipped from Manila. This situation could have easily provoked him to anger and harsh rebuke over the employee. But instead, he went into his office to pray. As he prayed, he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and joy overflowed, dissolving all anger and judgmental thoughts. This is what it means to put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit. Praise the Lord!

5. Prayer

   Romans chapter 8 continues the theme of how to live under the law of the Spirit. Verse 15 says,“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” This means the Spirit we have received is the Spirit of sonship, and one of His functions is to move us to open our mouths in prayer, calling God our Father. Therefore, if we want to give the Holy Spirit more room within us and allow His functions to be more fully expressed, prayer is indispensable. The more we pray, the more the indwelling Spirit is released, and the more the law of the Spirit operates in us. For example, in a gathering, the more people pray, the more the Holy Spirit has an outlet. That meeting will feel fresh, free, and full of release—because the whole gathering has entered into the law of the Spirit.

   Yet man is fallen and often unwilling to pray. So God, out of necessity, raises up circumstances—allowing trials to come upon believers to drive them to draw near to the Lord and pray. Sadly, many people, even when faced with hardship, still do not understand the need to come before the Lord in prayer and look to Him for guidance. Instead, they struggle painfully, relying on their own strength. But once a person acts in their own strength, they are living in the flesh. Only when we fully surrender to the Lord, depend on Him, and pray to Him, can we live under the law of the Spirit. May the Lord be gracious to us, making us people of prayer, and may the church become a praying church.

   Sometimes the Holy Spirit leads us to pray in the spirit with tongues, expressing spiritual insights that cannot be conveyed through understanding alone. At times, we are filled with praise—praise that surpasses ordinary expressions. But there are also times when we are brought into the experience of Romans 8:26, where we feel a deep sorrow that cannot be grasped by the mind. Some brothers or sisters, when praying in tongues, enter into a sense of sorrow, causing those praying around them to be moved to tears. The tone of their prayer carries a sorrowful spirit, and one can deeply sense the groaning of the Holy Spirit. It is not loud shouting, but rather the groaning of the Spirit expressed through tongues. This kind of prayer in tongues also helps us live under the law of the Spirit.

6. Submitting to the Full Governance of the Holy Spirit

   In principle, if a person fully obeys the Holy Spirit and gives Him full authority, they will naturally live under the law of the Spirit. However, the flesh and natural tendencies of man are often rebellious, stubborn, and self-centered. Therefore, the Holy Spirit works through all things to subdue us, using every circumstance to bring us into the law of the Spirit and conform us to the image of God's Son. This brings us to a crucial point: we must submit to the full governance of the Holy Spirit. Remember, the Holy Spirit not only dwells within us, but also orchestrates our surroundings to break our hardness and prune away selfishness, pride, self-confidence, self-righteousness, self-promotion, boasting, insistence, and personal preferences — leading us into the law of the Spirit.

   Brothers and sisters, the law of the Spirit described in Romans chapter 8 also calls us to submit to the Spirit’s full governance. Everything around us—people, events, circumstances—that we dislike, that frustrate us, that provoke anger or offense, we must fully surrender to the Lord. Whether in the home, society, or church, anything that touches our personal interests, soul-life preferences, or inclinations must be laid down before the Lord. In doing so, the Holy Spirit will clearly guide us to walk in the law of the Spirit and live out the image of God's Son.

   There was a sister who, after receiving the baptism of the Spirit in a certain fellowship, became fervent in spirit. She would attend meetings late into the night, often returning home past midnight. She could no longer prepare meals on time or attend to her children’s education. Her husband, who was not yet clear about salvation, became very displeased. The sister ignored his reasonable concerns, neglected her duties as a wife and mother, and even went so far as to blame her husband for not believing in the Lord. She loudly declared her intent to sell their old house and donate the proceeds to the church. This led to serious conflict between the couple, and the husband eventually brought the matter to our attention. This was a result of failing to submit to the full governance of the Holy Spirit, and it damaged her testimony.

   On the other hand, I’ve seen believers who, by submitting to the Spirit’s governance, lived out the glory of the Lord. A brother worked at a company with a meager salary that barely supported his family. His wife supplemented their income through sewing, but she was less spiritually mature and often expressed dissatisfaction, complaints, and criticism toward her husband. Yet he recognized that this was the environment the Lord had measured out for him, and he remained silent. He saw every hardship as part of the Spirit’s governance and submitted to the Lord’s will. Over the years, his spirit became tender. During the breaking of bread and prayer, his prayers flowed with anointing—free from condemnation, judgment, or hardness. Instead, they were full of gentleness, love, and the outpouring of life and spiritual supply. May we all learn to submit to the governance of the Holy Spirit and live out the glorious image of the Lord.

7. Obeying the Living Word of God

   Beyond Romans chapter 8, we want to highlight two additional passages of Scripture that help us live under the law of the Spirit. The first is found in John 6:63, where the Lord Jesus Himself said: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” The Lord’s words are the Word of God—they are living (Hebrews 4:12). When His Word enters us, our spirit is strengthened and fully enlivened. To keep our spirit continually uplifted, vibrant, fresh, and walking in the law of the Spirit, we must obey the living Word of God. This is not about the dead letter of Scripture, nor human interpretations, but the Word revealed by the Holy Spirit through the Bible. Whether in early morning devotion, daytime reading, evening meditation, or during gatherings, when the Holy Spirit reveals the Word to us—sometimes by stirring our hearts with spiritual insight—that is the moment the living Word of God comes to us. And when it does, we must obey immediately. Whatever the Lord says, we follow. In doing so, our spirit remains lively and strong day by day, continually living under the law of the Spirit.

8. Serving the Lord According to the Newness of the Spirit

   Another key passage is found in Romans 7:6, which says: “But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.” This means we are to serve the Lord according to the newness of the Spirit. To live under the law of the Spirit, this is an absolutely essential condition. Often in ministry, the Lord initiates a work, the Holy Spirit begins something good, and people quickly respond to co-labor with God. This is ideal. However, human tendencies inevitably mix in—people prefer to serve according to past traditions and habits. As a result, the work of the Spirit is pulled down to the level of the flesh and ministry is completed by human effort. The Holy Spirit then ceases to work, and we are no longer living under the law of the Spirit.

   Therefore, we must be especially careful in our service to the Lord—it must be according to the Spirit. Whether it’s visitation, preaching the gospel, leading people to Christ, or any activity in a gathering—prayer, fellowship, sharing messages—we must break free from tradition, habit, and old mindsets, and instead follow the fresh leading of the Spirit. For the Holy Spirit is like the wind—He does not conform to fixed patterns.

   For example, when helping someone receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it’s not simply a matter of laying hands and expecting the Spirit to fill them. If the Spirit moves us to lay hands on a certain brother, and we do so, he may indeed be filled with the Spirit. But if another sister requests the same, and we assume that laying hands will automatically result in her being filled—without sensing the Spirit’s leading—we are acting according to the oldness of the tradition, habit, and past experience. As a result, she may not be filled with the Spirit.

   May we all seriously serve the Lord according to the newness of the Spirit. In doing so, the work of the Holy Spirit will be sustained, and the church will continually be revived, manifesting freedom, victory, and glory. May the Lord be gracious to us, enabling us to live under the law of the Spirit and follow Him daily.

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