Thursday 22 March 2012
- Bible Book:
- Romans
"There is therefore now 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." (vv. 1-2)
Background
Chapter 8 tells of the work of the Holy Spirit in the believers'lives to gain victory over sin and freedom.
Verse 1 begins, "There is therefore now no condemnation for thosewho are in Christ Jesus". What glorious words! Paul continuesanswering the question posed in Romans 7: Who will rescue us fromeffects of the sin that trips us up in life? Praise be to God, itis by Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. When welive according to the Spirit of God, we are given the power toescape all the condemnation and guilt that life throws at us.
In Adam we were condemned, but in Christ there is no condemnation.The law condemns but the believer has a new relationship to thelaw. Paul makes it clear that Christ has already suffered thecondemnation on our behalf on the cross. And according to thedegree that you allow, the indwelling Holy Spirit enables you towalk in obedience to God.
Jesus gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins. In verses 5-6 Pauldivides people into two categories:
- those who let themselves be controlled by the sinfulnature
- those who choose to follow after the Holy Spirit, aftertrusting in Christ for salvation.
In the final verse of today's passage Paul stresses theincomparable victory available to every Christian. The victorycomes through the same spirit that raised Jesus Christ from thedead (see
To Ponder
Read
Freedom from judgement or condemnation is oftentoo great for many Christians to comprehend. When doubt assails,how will you turn to God? And to what extent will you praise Godfor this wonderful gift through the sacrifice of God's Son?