Day 44 "No Condemnation for Those in Christ" (Romans: Chapter Eight)

There was a story of a judge who was officiating over a case where his own son received a traffic ticket for speeding. "Guilty! That will be $500 or a week in jail!"

the judge declared. Silence is heard in the courtroom for the judge knew that the guilty person before him has no money in which to pay the fine. Thus, it is clear in the mind of the son, that he is bound to spend the next week in jail. Just as the bailiff gets ready to take the son to jail, the judge rises, takes off his robe, and positions himself before the court to pay the $500 fine for his son who was unable to pay the penalty himself. The father was both "just" as a judge and "merciful" as a father. So, too, our heavenly Father is both just and holy, but also merciful and loving. Chapter eight of Romans states that there is now no condemnation for those in Christ- Jesus' atoning sacrifice upon the cross paid the penalty for the judgement against us for our sins. Although man's sins must be held accountable by a just and holy God, it was through God's mercy and grace that led Jesus to the cross to pay the penalty for the sins we could not pay. Though, there may be consequences and restitution still needing to be performed according to man's laws, there is absolutely no ramifications on a spiritual basis with God. Jesus paid it all. Before God, in Christ, we stand unconditional pardon-past, present, and future! We have been set free from all future punishment.

Verse 3: "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,"

Verse 4: "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."

Verse 5: "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that

nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds

set on what the Spirit desires."

Verse 6: "but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace."

Verse 7: "the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so."

Verse 10: "But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive

because of righteousness."

Verse 11: "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who

raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his

Spirit, who lives in you."

Verse 12: "Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation- but it is not to the sinful nature, to

live according to it.

Verse 14: "because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."

Verse 15: "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.""

Verse 16: "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."

Verse 17: "Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,"

Verse 26: "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness."

Verse 28: "And we know that in all things God works for good of those who love him."

Key Verses for me:

Verse 1: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,"

Verse 2: "because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the

law of sin and death.

Verse 31: "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Verse 35: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"

Verse 37: "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved

us."

Verse 38: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,

neither present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor

anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God

that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Through the death of Christ, not only has the penalty for our sins been fully atone for, but by God's grace we are also grafted in a God's children and become co-heirs with Christ, himself. Nothing, but nothing, can separate us from God's love. We didn't earn it. Therefore, we can't screw it up nor can we lose it! Put to rest, then, any fear that you may be experiencing when you think of God and what you think he will say to you when you stand before him on your judgement day. In Christ, there is no condemnation awaiting you. Rejoice!

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If you are in Christ, you have nothing to fear. So, hold up your head up high, reflect

upon what has been given for you, and live the rest of your life here on Earth

knowing that you are a child of God. Blessed!

I look forward to seeing you back here tomorrow....