"IF YE WILL INQUIRE, INQUIRE YE."
By Editor
This Inquirers' Department is conducted for the purpose of helping those who are studying the Bible. The answers are oftentimes only suggestive. They are never to be considered infallible, only as they agree with the infallible Word. The writer who may answer them does not consider that his opinion is infallible. He will simply give the best that he has, and plead with the inquirer to search the Word. Such questions only will be answered as, to the editors, seem to minister to the good of the readers and to the mission of the paper. We can not answer repeatedly in the same volume questions upon the same scripture. The name and address must accompany question, not for publication, but as an evidence of good faith, and that answer may be made by letter if deemed advisable. No letters are answered which do not contain the name of the writer. It is well always to enclose stamp for reply. Please explain through the Question Corner Rom. 8:2. A. W. The meaning of Rom. 8:2 can only be found by experience. We can tell it, however, in theory. In the seventh chapter the apostle Paul points out that natural man is in bondage to his carnal heart; but in that condition, longing for release, he gets a sight of the Lord Jesus Christ, and through Him obtains freedom. Then he declares, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus," because Christ has forgiven all the sin and taken away the guilt which brought the condemnation. The second verse tells us by what means Christ did that: "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." The law in Christ is freedom, because Christ always kept that law, and the law always kept means righteousness, and "in the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death." Prov. 12:28. Christ Jesus therefore has in Himself a life absolutely free from sin; a life in which the power of the Spirit flows free. That Spirit was in Him life even as the law was life, for "the commandment . . . was ordained to life." Rom. 7:10. But to the man who has sinned, that law becomes the law of sin and death, because it is a perverted law; and man's carnal heart has perverted that law in his own nature, and brings him into bondage; but when he gives his all to Christ, lays down all his rebellion against God and his enmity to the law of God, the perfect law which is in Christ Jesus comes into the man's own life, and makes him free from the perverted law which he had followed in the past. This is explained later in verses 5-11. The law in Christ is perfect liberty. The law apart from Christ brings only condemnation and death.