Part 2-4: The Law of the Holy Spirit (2)

Bible Reading:

Romans 8:1-2,6,13,28-29 — "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....For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.....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.....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."

2 Corinthians 3:6 — "who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."

Galatians 5:16-18, 22-23 — "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law....But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

Failure After the Baptism of the Spirit Comes from Not Living According to the Law of the Spirit

This morning’s meeting is the final session of our special gathering. In the past three evening meetings, we have emphasized two key points. The first is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the second is the law of the Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit brings revival, while the law of the Spirit not only sustains revival but also leads us on the path of life—rooting us downward and bearing fruit upward.

The experiences of many Christians in the past show us that there are those who were lukewarm—neither dead nor alive—who became fervent after receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They overcame sin, forsook the world, and loved the Lord with zeal. However, not long after, they grew cold and fell back. Though they were fervent at the time of their Spirit baptism, their spiritual life and daily walk had not changed much. Gradually, they returned to their former state. After one year, two years, or three years, it seemed as if they had never received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at all. The reason is this: after receiving the baptism of the Spirit, they did not live according to the law of the Spirit. Therefore, beginning last night, we started to speak about this: after receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we must live daily according to the law of the Spirit.

The Result of Living According to the Law of the Spirit

We have previously referred to Romans chapter 8 to speak about how to live according to the law of the Spirit. In this Sunday morning’s meeting, we will again refer to this chapter to discuss the results of living in the law of the Spirit. By understanding these results, we can also test whether we are truly living according to the law of the Spirit.

1. Deliverance

   The first result a Christian experiences when living according to the law of the Spirit is deliverance. As Romans 8:2 declares: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free...” This clearly shows that the law of the Spirit brings us deliverance.

   1. The Law of Sin

      Before a person experiences deliverance, they are bound by two kinds of bondage. The first is the bondage of sin. Romans chapter 7 devotes much of its content to describing the power of sin and how it binds people in the flesh. One passage says: “For I know that in me nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:18–24) This is Paul describing the struggle within the flesh—the condition of being bound by sin.

      About ten years ago, I went through a period of earnest striving to live rightly. I tried hard not to speak evil, to be humble, to avoid anger, to be patient and gentle. I even wrote these virtues on paper and placed it under the glass on my desk. After half a year, it proved completely ineffective. For a while, I endured by sheer willpower and seemed to succeed a little—but when I reached the limit of my endurance, I failed completely. I became proud again! I lost my temper again! All that effort brought no real fruit. This was because I was still bound by the law of sin.

      To understand the law of sin, we can use a simple analogy. Physics tells us that the earth has a law called gravity. No matter where you are in the world, if you let go of something, it falls downward. Without gravity, we wouldn’t be able to stand on the earth as it spins and orbits. Gravity is a law—unchanging and universal—pulling all things downward.

      Sin within us operates in the same way. It has a law—the law of sin—that rules over us, binds us, and keeps us from freedom. It makes us slaves to sin, compelling us to sin. We find ourselves unable to be patient, unable to be gentle, unable to avoid pride, unable to control our temper. This law of sin within us becomes our bondage.

   2. The Law of Death

      The second kind of bondage is the law of death. Ever since Adam sinned and fell, humanity has come under the dominion of death. God’s Word tells us: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12) This death does not only refer to the physical death when our breath ceases. It also refers to a power, a law within us that rules over us. It separates us from God, dulls our spirit, makes us unable to hear God’s voice, and blinds us to His will. Therefore, Ephesians 2:1 says that we were dead in trespasses and sins.

   3. Deliverance from the Law of Sin and Death

      When we live according to the law of the Spirit, the result is that we are delivered from the law of sin and death and receive freedom. As Romans 8:2 says: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)

      Now we can use an appropriate analogy to explain this matter. About two days ago, astronauts boarded a rocket and left Earth for the moon. We know that such a massive American rocket is launched into space with astonishing force. The astronauts sit inside without exerting any effort; they simply sit there, and once the rocket ignites—boom—it propels them into space. Once they ascend, they surpass the range of Earth’s gravitational pull and enter another realm of space. From that moment on, the astronauts are freed from the law of Earth’s gravity.

      When we receive salvation and live in Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit releases us from the law of sin and the law of death. That realm of freedom is beyond the reach of the law of sin and death—just like the astronauts who are freed from Earth’s gravity because the law of the rocket has delivered them.

      For example, when parents see their children misbehaving and repeatedly ignoring correction, they often resort to discipline. Most of the time, discipline is accompanied by anger. But sometimes, it is possible to discipline without getting angry. The key lies in whether you are living in Christ Jesus. If at that moment you are reading the Bible, praying, fellowshipping with the Lord, or meditating on the Holy Spirit, and suddenly someone comes to tell you how your child is misbehaving, you hear it and forget to get angry. This is the law of the Spirit releasing you—overcoming your temper and delivering you from the law of sin.

      Let us also give an example of deliverance from the law of death. In this morning’s breaking of bread meeting, we clearly sensed the Holy Spirit moving. Many brothers and sisters opened their mouths to praise and pray. Everyone prayed with ease, without pressure or effort—it flowed naturally. The reason is that we had entered into the spirit of the meeting and were living in the movement of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the law of the Spirit removed the death in our spirits. Our spirits had fellowship with God and spiritual sensitivity, so it was easy to open our mouths and pray. This too is the law of the Spirit releasing us—delivering us from the law of death.

2. Life and Peace

   Romans 8:6 says: “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Living according to the law of the Spirit inevitably brings life and peace. Brothers and sisters, the opposite of death is life; to be free from death is to enter into the realm of life. The result of sin is suffering, and its opposite is peace; naturally, when we are free from sin, we have peace. This is the result of being released by the law of the Spirit.

   When a Christian draws near to the Lord in the morning and feels comfortable before Him, this is called life. There is also an indescribable rest, which is called peace. Every Christian should enjoy this right; after being saved, one should always have life and peace within. If we lose life and peace, it proves that we are no longer in the Spirit, but rather in sin or in the flesh. At such times, we must quickly return to the law of the Spirit to enjoy life and peace, and to experience the fullness and rest in the Spirit.

3. Strength and Victory

   Next result is strength and victory. Romans 8:13 says: “If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” When we live in the flesh, many evil deeds will come out. For example, in daily life, sometimes we curse others, sometimes we argue, sometimes we even jealous and hate others, there are always be some disputes. But when we live in the Spirit, these evil deeds are put to death, and as a result, “you will live.” This “living” means the spirit is alive. In other words, you overcome. It is evident that living according to the law of the Spirit makes the spirit strong and victorious.

   In Taipei, five mornings every week, a few brothers and sisters gather to pray for one or two hours. As a result, the spirit becomes strong. When meeting friends to preach the gospel, the spirit comes forth; when there is a need to visit brothers and sisters, the motivation comes. Because with more prayer, we live more in the law of the Spirit, and as a result, we become strong and victorious. On the contrary, when there is little prayer, the spirit becomes weak. There's no burden for preaching gospel to friends, and no motivation to visit brothers and sisters in needs. Dear brothers and sisters, we need to live in the law of the Spirit so that we may have a strong spirit every day and live a victorious life. Whether a church is strong depends on how many people in the church live in the law of the Spirit. The more such people there are, the stronger and more powerful the spirit is, and the more victorious it becomes. Therefore, I hope brothers and sisters will do their best to attend prayer meetings. More prayer brings more living in the law of the Spirit.

4. Living Out the Image of the Son of God

   Let’s look at another result from Romans 8:28-29: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” If we submit to the working together of all things—every hardship, every difficulty, every challenge—and accept them without complaint, without resentment, without resistance, and without reason but simply submit to God’s arrangement in every circumstance, the ultimate result is that we are conformed to the image of God’s Son. This is also the result of living under the law of the Spirit.

   The Son of God was in heaven, people could not see Him; they only knew by faith that He is the Son of God. The heavenly angels could see His glory, righteousness, greatness, holiness, and honor, but His image was not manifested. Until one day, through the body of Jesus, He appeared, and His thirty-three and a half years on earth were the expression of the image of God’s Son. When we live under the governance of the Holy Spirit and allow the Holy Spirit to work, we can live out the model of Jesus. This is also the result of living under the law of the Spirit. I truly hope that we can all submit to every circumstance arranged by God’s sovereignty and live out the image of God’s Son.

   Let me share a real experience. At the Taipei meeting hall, during the regular morning prayers, if everyone opens his mouth and prays earnestly, I feel very joyful. But if one or two people are not earnest, dragging their feet and praying listlessly, I feel annoyed inside. I think, “If you have no burden, you might as well not come.” At that moment, I am already in the flesh. But if I turn my thoughts to the Holy Spirit and say, “Lord, thank You, it is because the brothers and sisters are weak that they come to kneel before You.” The more I think this way, the more I sympathize and pray for them—not necessarily out loud, but silently in my heart. This is because living in the law of the Spirit results in being filled with love for them and not condemning them. This is also an experience of living out the image of God’s Son. So whenever we live in the law of the Spirit, we can submit and say, “Lord, You have sent these brothers and sisters who do not pray. My flesh may be displeased and annoyed with them, but I still thank and praise You, because this is what You have measured out.” When we accept this, we live in the law of the Spirit, and as a result, not only do we not condemn them, but we love and sympathize with them. By accepting the governance of the Holy Spirit and the working of all things, when we submit, we live out the image of Jesus.

5. Sufficient as Ministers of the New Covenant

   We have just read 2 Corinthians 3:6, which says, "who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." This means that if we rely on the Holy Spirit, that is, the result of living in the law of the Holy Spirit, we can be suffiecint as ministers of the new covenant. "Ministers of the new covenant" has a profound meaning. In a deep sense, the ministers of the new covenant refer to those who have received a commission from God to accomplish God's will in the New Testament era. In simple experience, all matters of serving the Lord by the Holy Spirit are ministers of the new covenant. If we live in the law of the Holy Spirit, the result will become an outlet for the Holy Spirit. Whoever is the outlet of the Holy Spirit is the minister of the new covenant.

   The most important feature of ministry in the New Testament era is to be the outlet of the Holy Spirit. I preach on stage, and if the Holy Spirit comes out of my mouth, I am a deacon of the new covenanct. If the Holy Spirit cannot come out of my mouth when I preach, that sermon is just words and doctrines, but not a ministry of the new cestament. Brothers and sisters, ministry and doctrine are two different things, and there are too many people preaching in Christianity today, but too few ministers. Paul was a minister, Peter was a minister, John was a minister, and God's workers should be ministers.

   Dear brothers and sisters, so is the gathering of all the saints. When we break bread, you are moved by the Holy Spirit, and you pray out, this is fulfilling the principle of a ministerin the new covenant. Or you have an experience behind you, and you testify before brothers and sisters through the moving of the Holy Spirit, this is also the ministry of new covenant. If we live in the law of the Holy Spirit, we can be sufficient to become ministers of the new covenant. Otherwise, we will return to the ministry in the Old Testament rituals.

   The difference between the New Testament and the Old Testament is not in the scale, formality, and outwaard performance. The biggest difference is whether it is an outlet for the Holy Spirit. Whoever is the outlet of the Holy Spirit is in the service of the New Testament, which is the service under the principle of ministry of the new covenant. Whoever does not be an outlet of the Holy Spirit is in the service of the Old Testament, serving in laws, rituals, heredity, and tradition. Brothers and sisters, there is a big difference. Today, God is watching from heaven millions of Christians serving Him on earth. But those who serve under the principle of ministry of new covenant are really few. May God raise up each of us to serve with new ministry principles and be an outlet for the Holy Spirit. When we pray, we are moved by the Holy Spirit to pray; When we testify, we are moved by the Holy Spirit to testify. When we visit the saints, we are also moved by the Holy Spirit. Whatever the Holy Spirit tells me to say, I will say. And whatever the Holy Spirit tells me to do, I will do. In all aspects of life, work, and service, we rely on the Holy Spirit. For it is by the Holy Spirit that we can be sufficient for the ministry of the new covenant.

   Today, many Christian groups preach the gospel, lead people to salvation, worship, sing hymns, and listen to sermons, almost all of which are Old Testament ministries and activities. We hope to receive God's mercy and bring people to the Lord, return to God's word, help them receive the Holy Spirit, to be an outlet of the Holy Spirit, and resume the service of the New Testament era. There is always a situation that affects many groups and Christians to embark on the path of minstry in the New Testament. It is still a divine mission, not a matter of how many poeple, but a matter of the nature. We must maintain the nature of the New Testament. In short, we must live well in the law of the Holy Spirit, so that we will naturally have the service of New Testament ministry.

6. Bearing the Fruit of the Holy Spirit

   The last point is to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Galatians chapter 5 speaks of our lusts, or flesh, at war with the Holy Spirit. When we are saved, the Holy Spirit dwells in us. But we also have Adam's fallen disposition inside, so these two forces have long been at war within. When we obey the flesh, the Holy Spirit is troubled and makes us lost our peace. The more carnally minded we become, the more painful it will be. If we live in the law of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit takes the position in us, and we eventually bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

   Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, "The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." These nine things are the virtues of Christ, the characteristics of God's life, and the testimony that the Lord wants of believers. These virtues cannot be obtained through lessons, efforts, or practice, but grow naturally.

   Therefore, after Galatians chapter 5 speaks of the flesh fighting with the Holy Spirit, and also mentions the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, chapter 6:8 says, "Whoever sows in the flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, and whoever sows according to the Holy Spirit will reap life from the Holy Spirit." As long as we always obey the Holy Spirit and live in the law of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to reap life and have the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

   Psalm 1:2-3 also say, "Blessed is the man who loves the law of the Lord and thinks about it day and night. He will be planted like a tree by a stream, and it will bear fruit in its season." It means to ponder on the word of the Lord and live in the law of the Holy Spirit, and the result is like a tree by the stream. It bears fruit in season because it's by the stream. Similarly, the tree of life bears fruit of the Holy Spirit in the flow of the Holy Spirit. No wonder the last chapter of Revelation also says that there is a tree of life that bears fruit every month by the river (Revelation 22:1-2). obviously, the fruits of the Holy Spirit can never be taught, learned, or made, but completely grown out of living in the law of the Holy Spirit.

   Although we cannot fully articulate the results of living the law of the Holy Spirit, we have already listed so many key points that are truly enough for us to be encouraged and drawn to a life in the law of the Holy Spirit and to live out the testimony of revival. May the fire of revival burn among us through the messages of this conference until the ends of the earth!

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