Summer 1976
Two Opposing Laws

Taken from an article written in June 1941 by
Seeley D. Kinne

The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” These two laws were ordained and set in operation by the Lord, though widely separated in the time of their establishment. But they are so entirely opposite to each other that they cannot work in the same person both of them at the same time. If one is working the other is being quenched.

The law of sin and death has been working in men continuously ever since the fall of Adam. Death obtains its ability to work through sin. “Lust, when it hath conceived beareth sin: and the sin when it is full grown, bringeth forth death” (James 1:15 Revised Version).

It should be understood that death is a process culminating in an act, rather than a single act. As death is the penalty attached to sin, the continuing in sin constantly tends to death of spirit, soul and body. As sin in its very essence is being out of relationship with God and His laws, it follows there can be no remedy invented by man. He cannot deliver himself; God must act and man must come to God’s way. Man is utterly and hopelessly doomed unless God comes to his rescue.

So God in High Heaven in His very great love set up the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus. This Law of Life in its operation in man, when given full sway will crowd out, destroy and cause to disappear every vestige of death in man: spirit, soul and body.

· Every motive, thought, word, and act in man, having its origin in man’s volition, is psychical, soulish or carnal. It is an activity of this law of sin and death and has a death tendency. It is independent of God and separated from God.

· Every motive, thought, word or act originating within man by motion of the Holy Spirit, is an activity of the Law of the Spirit of Life, and there is in connection with it a life tendency toward increase of life.

The sinner knows not the working of these laws. Saved men know but little of them either. But the one who has received the gift of the spirit may come to know and have understanding of the working of these laws within. To know how to cooperate with and live in the movings of this redemptive Law of the Spirit of Life is of the highest importance, if we are to become fully developed sons of God, attain end-time privileges, be full overcomers, and be translated in our house from Heaven.

The hand of God is outstretched to assist those, the called according to His purpose, that they may enter these privileges. They are quite new to us and beyond human ability to attain. But God is able and willing. He declares, “Some must enter in.”

This is a plain teaching, that if we attain to the power of the Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, we shall not die but shall live. We shall be made to live by the resurrection power of the Spirit. “And if the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead is dwelling in you, He who raised up Christ from the dead will give life also to your mortal bodies, through His Spirit dwelling in you.” “Therefore brethren, it is not to our lower nature that we are under obligation, to live by its rule. If you so live you are on your way to death; by the power of the Spirit, you put your merely bodily habits to death, you will live” (Romans 8:11-13 Weymouth).

To those who will set their hearts to respond to this call of God, there is abundant aid at hand. You will find God waiting to give every needed assistance. “He waits to be gracious.” Some circumstances may seem undesirable, but in the end they will be seen to be highly beneficial and wisely planned by God. If the Lord took away all that is trying, difficult or perplexing, “Where would the cross be? It is in the hardness that He gives to us chances of proving what He can do.” Not to taunt us, but to develop in us stalwart character and dependable qualities—this is why the furnace.

The End-time privileges are so exceeding great, surpassing all that has arisen in the mind of man. It has been written in Scriptures, but is veiled to those without revelation by the Spirit.

In the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus there was no corruption, decay or disintegration. Thus Jesus overcame death destroying Satan’s death power. Thus Christ set up the New Law of the Spirit of Life. This Law becomes operative in one receiving the Holy Spirit. Its operation in this Life Law is limited and controlled by walking in the Spirit. The closer the walk the more powerful works the Life Law.

Be a whole burnt offering, yield to entire crucifixion, by being taught, led, controlled and impelled by the Holy Spirit in full, and this Life Law will operate in you till you are a revealed son.

“According to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour, Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:9).