The Requirement of the Law

“For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 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.” Romans 8:3-4.

It is clearly evident from these vers that Jesus fulfilled the law so that it might also be fulfilled in us. This was impossible for those who lived under the law, but it was possible for Jesus, just as it is possible for every one who is in Christ.

Jesus abolished in His flesh the law of commandments contained in ordinances by fulfilling the law in Himself. Ephesians 2:15. He brought His own human will into death by doing God’s perfect law and will instead. He took away the first and established the second. Hebrews 10:8-9. “For to this you were called . . . that you should fol­low His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21.

In the old covenant, the law required them to love God above all things, to love their neighbor as themselves, and not covet anything sinful. In the new covenant we also ought to lay down our lives for one another, even as Jesus Christ did for us. 1 John 3:16.

We must not consider this a requirement that is unattainable, something we will only fall short in, but it must be for us as it was for our “forerunner.” Hebrews 6:20 and 10:7. He accomplished this in the days of His flesh. He was put to death according to the flesh, but made alive in the spirit. 1 Peter 3:18.

The requirement of the law is not fulfilled in us until we come to “the second.” Hebrews 10:9. This is the testimony of the blood. We must resist sin, even to bloodshed. Hebrews 12:4. Jesus came not only with water, but also with blood. 1 John 5:6.

The high priest could present “the first,” which was sacrifices and offerings. Jesus brought “the second,” which was a body in which death was working and blood was being shed. Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:18.

What was impossible for the law, God did, so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us. We can overcome our human nature by receiving an understanding of this great work and having faith in it. This knowledge is disregarded among believers, but the upright in heart rejoice when it is revealed to them.

There are two conditions that need to be met for this salvation to work in our life: that we “walk according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:4), and that we are thoroughly acquainted with the requirements of the law that are to be fulfilled in us. This is the glad tidings: we shall be finished with sin, and sin shall be destroyed. Romans 6:6. Sin in the flesh is condemned. By faith that same judgment is executed in our flesh. We partake of the death of Christ in our personal lives, and lit­tle by little the requirement of the law is fulfilled in us, if we do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.