The law of sin and death is comprised of three forces working in conjunction with each other: Satan, the flesh, and the world. Now, in my own energy, I can take on any two. But I’m doomed by the combination of three.

If Satan and the world system were alive and well — but I didn’t have a body, sin would have no pull on me.

If I have a body and if I am in the world — but there was no Satan, there would be no problem because Satan is the prince of this world (John 12:31), who activates the world system which plays on my flesh.

If I have a body and Satan is present — but there was no world system, Satan could not have access to me, because he would have no way to influence me.

Go to an airport and you’ll see planes sitting on the runway, not going anywhere because the law of gravity is keeping them on the ground. But as soon as their engines are turned on, the law of aerodynamics takes over. Gravity is still in effect, and still pulls on the planes, but there’s a higher law, a more powerful force at work which allows them to overcome the law of gravity.

That’s what Paul is saying. We’re free from this law of sin and death by possibility thinking? No. By positive mental imaging? No. We’re free by the Spirit of Jesus Christ. He lives in us, enabling us to fly high and overcome the law of sin and death.