Tag: No Condemnation
No condemnation!
Scripture reading for June 22nd: Job 4-7, Romans 8
Key Scriptures: Romans 8:1-4 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, . . .”
Paul gives a clear presentation of justification by faith. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ was God’s answer to man’s need of deliverance from the law of sin and death. It came at the cost of Christ’s death and shed blood, fulfilling the righteous requirement of the law that sin must be atoned for with the blood of an innocent sacrifice.
Job 4:17 “‘Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?'”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your amazing plan and love to send Your Son to cover my sins! May my life reflect Your love to those in need of grace. Amen.
Crossing over from death to life!
Scripture reading for April 12th: John 5
Key scriptures for over-comers: John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.”
Salvation is very simple. Religious people like to make it complicated. Jesus reduced the requirements from keeping the over 600 laws to simply hearing His word and believing in the Father who sent Him. According to Jesus, the time for eternal life had already come. Even those who died in faith would hear His voice and live. The person who believes in this manner ‘crossed over’ from the realm of death to the realm of eternal life! There is no other path to receive this gift other than simple faith in God’s word! Humble people surrender to Jesus the Son and believe in God the Father!
Key scriptures for over-comers: Child-like faith opens the eternal Door of the kingdom of heaven! Let’s keep it simple. “When Your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name, O Lord God Almighty.” (Jeremiah 15:16)
Law of the Spirit of Life!
Scripture reading for June 24th: Romans 8
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1-4)
Paul explained that he found deliverance from the sinful nature and the condemnation of a life of sin through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was a man like us, but without sin. He was made to be a sin offering for sinful man to pay the penalty for our sins–through His death! Now, through the gift of the Spirit, (from God our Father), we have been declared righteous! This is the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead that now gives eternal life to our mortal bodies! (Romans 8:10-11)
Paul next explained that those who are set free from the law of sin and death now live by the Holy Spirit. They must allow the Spirit to lead them in the way of Jesus the Son. In fact, the Holy Spirit confirms that we are children of God, adopted into His family! “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:15-16)
Sunday Rest and Reflection:No Condemnation!
Dear Friends,
Greetings and hope today in Jesus Christ, our wonderful Lord and Savior. He has rescued us from eternal damnation and darkness and transferred us into eternal blessedness and light! As we approach this Thanksgiving holiday, we Christians have much to thank God for. Every day is a day of thanksgiving and rest in God’s great love! Every day is a feast of His blessings and provision. Take time today to gather with God’s people and to give Him thanks and worship!
One of the most encouraging passages in this past week’s reading comes from Romans 8:1-4. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering, and so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.”
We are free from condemnation that comes upon all who are under the law of God. The ten commandments bring a knowledge of sin to those under the law. (Jews) (Romans 3:20) The Gentiles are also under a law written on their consciences that also brings a knowledge of sin and results in condemnation. (Romans 2:12-16) Therefore, all Jews and Gentiles alike have sinned and are under condemnation.
Because God is just, sin must be paid for by death. God provided a way to remove the condemnation through sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to be a sin offering. He met the righteous requirements of the law as a sin offering by offering Himself on our behalf. After His resurrection from death, He has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us to live in obedience to God and live victoriously as witnesses.
We have great joy and freedom as people bought back from eternal condemnation. What a blessing it is to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all who will listen! Every Sunday is a celebration of resurrection and a coming Savior!
In His Love, Pastor John
Abba, Father (Daddy)!
Scripture reading for November 20th: Romans 6-8
Fathers are important people in the lives of their children. God has given fathers the responsibility of modeling for their children the character of God, the Father. They are to teach their children how to love, serve, and give their lives to God and others. Sin has marred this process so that many times fathers teach the opposite to their children. Children hate their fathers or in many instances don’t even know their father. In Romans 8, Paul teaches us about the new relationship that salvation brings with our heavenly Father through the Holy Spirit.
“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co -heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings that we may also share in His glory.” Romans 8:15-17
When we repent and invite Jesus to be Lord of our lives, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. We are adopted into the family of God and made a part of that family. The Holy Spirit gives us a deep understanding that we are children of God and our inner man cries out, “Abba”, which is the Greek word for “Daddy”. It is the affectionate title of a family member for their father! Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9) He told them that He only did what his Father showed Him to do. (John 5:19-20)
We become “co-heirs” with Christ in the Father’s family! (Romans 8:17) This means that we are in the will! We have an inheritance from our Daddy’s estate! What does that estate contain? God owns everything! He made the universe, stars, planets, and every living thing visible and invisible! He rules as King! We are heirs of the highest royalty! This truth is beyond our comprehension with our natural mind! We must have revelation to grasp what God has given us!
There is one stipulation that is often overlooked. We will share in this inheritance of glory if we are willing to share in His sufferings. What does this mean? When Jesus lived on earth, he suffered temptations and overcame them by the Holy Spirit. He suffered persecution, physical torture, and even death because of His willing obedience to the Father who loved Him and us. He loved us enough to endure the pain and shame of crucifixion so that we might be adopted into Father’s family! (Hebrews 12:1-2) Now that we are part of that family, we must obediently submit to a path of suffering to enter into glory!
As you go through your day today, take time to talk to your “Abba” and tell Him how much you appreciate what He has provided! Take any inconvenience or suffering as opportunity to thank Him for the coming glory!