March 24, 2002
Romans 8:1
Therefore there is now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
What a verse! It begins a chapter of supreme blessing for the believer. And what a chapter - as Romans Eight begins with no condemnation and ends with no separation and in-between is the promise that God causes all things to work together for good!
This fantastic chapter begins with “therefore” which reaches way back in the book of Romans. It incorporates all that God has accomplished for the believer in Christ Jesus. Verse 3:24 says:
Being justified as a gift by
His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus:
To be justified is to be declared righteous. You and I have been declared righteous! Redemption means to be purchased out of the slave market – in this case, the slave market of sin.
Then we’ve been propitiated through His blood. (3:25). Propitiation means satisfaction. God is totally satisfied with Christ’s work in our life.
It gets even better as we read in Romans 5:1 that we’ve been justified by faith and have peace with God! Peace with God! Many would give millions for that peace and it is free to all who trust Jesus as Lord and Savior.
It gets better and better as we see in 5:10 that we have been reconciled to God through the death of His Son. Our relationship to God has changed completely. And going on – we have eternal life through grace (5:21).
Chapter Six shows us that we are joined to Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Can you see now why there is “therefore now” – right now, this minute – not one condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus? What a blessing for the Christian.
But watch out! How the devil would love to fill our
thoughts with condemnation. (How can
God possibly love me after what I’ve done?)
Beloved, you can go
through your life resting on this blessed truth of no condemnation because you
are in Christ Jesus! And when
your earthy life comes to an end you can rest upon the truth that there is no
condemnation to those in Christ Jesus because of what He has accomplished in
our behalf – justification, redemption, reconciliation, propitiation, peace
with God, joined together with the ever living Christ!
What a verse! What a chapter! God bless.
Love to you all,
Pastor Charles