Imagining with Lars

“There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death” (Romans 8:1-2).

This is a mind-bending declaration. For Paul, freedom does not come from legislation, a social program or a better moral instruction kit. Freedom is achieved by the saving act of God in Christ, who dealt with sin by taking on human flesh. This is an act that has inaugurated a new world order for human liberty for all who are in Christ. It is only living in Christ, says Paul, that we can experience freedom from what ails humanity. This is not a freedom from relationship but to relationship. It is this relationship that allows us the freedom to live anew.

Paul presents an agonistic polarity between those who live according to the flesh and those who live according to the Spirit (Rom. 8:5-8). Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh—meaning their lives are shaped by selfish passions. In contrast, Christians are called to think with the “mind of the Spirit.” Those who are in Christ, think with the mind of Christ. In every situation we are to use our minds to imagine the love of Christ for others. (Samuel Well’s wonderful book Improvisation comes to mind as a resource.)