Saturday, 17th February 2024
Andrews Ampomah
TOPIC: NO CONDEMNATION
THEME SCRIPTURE: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” – Romans 8:1
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- To which people are there no condemnation?
- What is meant by ‘no condemnation’
Romans 8 is one of the most comforting Bible chapters for Christians. In a book where the first chapters foretell humanity's doom, chapter 8's consolation is no small one. Paul carefully explained justification and how Jesus' death on the cross adequately paid for sin. He emphasizes the need for Christians to walk in progressive sanctification by the Holy Spirit, acknowledging that even after salvation, the flesh tends to fight against the spirit.
In the previous chapter, Paul shared his fleshly struggles, which many believers share. It was a great comfort to the apostle, and by extension, to us, that we are not condemned when we fall into sin because we are in Christ Jesus. What a relief. Our salvation in Christ Jesus covers our past, present, and future sins as we walk in this new life. However, this does not accommodate willful sins (blatantly sinning consistently against your Lord without genuine repentance).
True believers in Christ cannot use grace as an excuse to sin.
Therefore, death has no power over Christians since there is no condemnation for them in Christ Jesus. Condemnation here means penal servitude. Thus, those in Christ are free from death (separation from God) and its effects, such as retrogression, stagnation, life struggles, hopelessness, etc. Because Jesus paid it all, the Christian is the righteousness of God in Christ, even if he or she falls short of God's standards.
The death penalty no longer applies to him, but to the unbeliever.
No condemnation for the one in Christ Jesus means no curse has power over the Christian. Some leaders today are still amplifying generational curses. They suggest that even though you're a Christian, your ancestors' curses still control you. This is untrue, beloved. Jesus' suffering and death on the cross have completely saved us. You're free from curses in Christ. So we could receive Abraham's blessings, Jesus was made a curse. So then, we are blessed.
If we trust Christ's finished work on the cross, we don't have to worry about curses.
While you bask in this liberating truth, beloved in Christ Jesus, you must walk consistently according to the Holy Spirit's guidance through the word of God. Live according to the Holy Spirit’s dictates, and you will abound more and more in Christ. Hallelujah!
FURTHER READING – Romans 8:1-39
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- Do you have struggles with sin?
- How can you employ the help of the Holy Spirit to rise above your struggles of sin?
CONFESSION
Heavenly Father, through the finished work of Christ Jesus in delivering total salvation to me, I affirm that I will from henceforth walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh. Amen.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Exodus 28; Psalm 83; Psalm 84; Mark 13
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