Christian Obedience

Romans 8:1-4


1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,
4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.


It is tempting to read this passage as solely having to do with salvation. Because we are saved, there is no condemnation. We are set free from the law of sin and death.


I am wondering, though, if this passage is really addressing our daily lives as believers. We have no need to walk in any kind of condemnation any more because in Christ there is no condemnation. In fact, He has set me free from the law of sin and death. That entire way of viewing life no longer applies to me. Rather than living under the need to obey, I am free to obey out of love instead. In the first case, my obedience is about how it benefits me and in the second case my obedience is about how I can bless the Father.