Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter (Romans 7:4-6).

We are to serve now in newness of spirit. The Amplified Bible says we serve in “…[obedience to the promptings] of the Spirit in newness [of life]” (verse 6). We are to serve now after this new man who is born of God indwelt and permeated by the Holy Spirit. We no longer serve the old habits and ideas we had or after the flesh that has not yet been changed. We still serve, but we serve from the inside. Now we walk in newness of life and follow the promptings of our newborn spirit as he is taught and directed by the Holy Spirit. We have died to the law that we might be married to Him Who was raised from the dead to bring forth fruit unto God.

“But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:17). We are to function here in the earth, even while we still live in a natural body as one with Jesus the Anointed. We were dead. Now we live to be “married” to Him.

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:26-32).

Paul says this is a great mystery. As a man is joined to his wife and they become one flesh so is the Anointed and His Church. We are His body—flesh of His flesh, bone of His bone. We are to live united to Him as the branch to the vine so that His life and His anointing pervades every action and decision. That is the way Jesus Himself lived. He said:

I am able to do nothing from Myself—independently, of My own accord—but as I am taught by God and as I get His orders. [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision.] Even as I hear, I judge and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will—I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose—but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me (John 5:30, The Amplified Bible).

Kenneth and Gloria Copeland