Newness of the Spirit.

Romans 7:6, But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

Paul gives us this clear picture from marriage, that while our spouse is alive we are wed, by the law; if a spouse dies, the survivor is then, and only then, released from the power of the law. Likewise, when we are crucified with Christ, buried with Him in our baptism, we are raised to the new life of His Spirit. We are raised to His standard, higher than the checklist of the law, to take captive every though, to think on the noble things of His kingdom.

Raise my mind up in Your thoughts, that I may think on whatever is honest, ,just, pure, lovely, true, virtuous and praiseworthy!