Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation IF We Live In Christ.
Romans 8:1: No Condemnation IF We Live In Christ.
Romans 8:1 (KJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to them
which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the
Spirit.
Romans 8:1 (GNT) There is no condemnation now for those who live
in union with Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1 (PHILLIPS) No condemnation now hangs over the head of
those who are in Jesus Christ. For the new spiritual principle
of life in Christ lifts me out of the old vicious circle of
sin and death.
INTRODUCTION
In chapter 7 Paul asked, "Who will deliver me from this body of
death?" (7:24). Chapter 8 gives the answer: the Holy Spirit of God. The
blessings He brings make us "more than conquerors" (v. 37)! [Chapter by
Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe]
WORD STUDY
No condemnation. The good news of the gospel is that Christ
came to condemn sin, not sinners (John 3:17; Rom. 8:3). To those who
believe and accept the generous provisions of the gospel and who in
faith commit themselves to lives of loving obedience, Christ offers
justification and freedom. There may yet be deficiencies in the believers
character, but when it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put
forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as
mans best service, and He makes up for the deficiency with His own
divine merit (EGW ST June 16, 1890). For such there is no
condemnation (John 3:18).
In Christ Jesus. This frequently occurring NT expression
intimates the closeness of the personal connection that exists between the
Christian and Christ. It means more than to be dependent on Him or merely
to be His follower or disciple. It implies a daily, living union
with Christ (John 14:20; 15:4"7). John describes this union as
being in him (1 John 2:5, 6, 28; 3:24; 5:20). Peter also speaks
of being in Christ (1 Peter 3:16; 5:14). But the idea is especially
characteristic of Paul Jesus emphasized the closeness of this union by His
parable of the Vine and the Branches (John 15:1"7). Unless a person is
experiencing this transforming union with Christ, he cannot claim freedom
from condemnation. The saving faith that brings reconciliation and
justification (Rom. 3:22"26) implies an experience Paul speaks of as being
in Christ (see on v. 28). [SDA Bible Commentary]
COMMENTARY PEARLS
All change starts with acceptance. Until you feel accepted by
God, you're going to continue to be caught in a cycle of defeat,
failure, guilt, and recrimination. The greatest chapter on change in
Scripture begins by saying, if you belong to Christ, God does not condemn
you (Rom. 8:1). Are you everything you need to be? No. Are you in
the best shape you could be? No. But God says, "There is no
condemnation." He welcomes you to a path not of perfection, but of ongoing
change.
Instead of being motivated about these changes out of guilt,
pressure, or fear of not measuring up, let God's acceptance encourage you.
Your worthiness comes from your relationship to Christ because you're
forgiven. You're cleansed. The Holy Spirit has freed you from the vicious
cycle of sin and death. You're living by grace, not by condemnation.
If you struggle today, remind yourself that there is no
condemnation for you, but rather God's full acceptance and welcome. [The
Daniel Plan 365-Day Devotional]
In the past couple of weeks, I have done a few things that I
regret. I showed extreme impatience in a specific situation, and my
behavior was not a good example to my children. I also made a decision
and started getting other people involved in my plan, only to
realize I didn't have peace. I also realized I had not even prayed about
it; I just acted on my own. Wow! I should have known better in both
of these situations.
Do you ever do things and then think, I cannot believe I did
that? Realizing our mistakes is the first step toward repentance.
Thankfully, we can go to Jesus with all of our failures and weaknesses and
be assured that He will never reject us. I am sorry for my
foolishness, but I am also very glad that I don't have to waste days feeling
guilty.
Today, take all of your sins and failures to Jesus. Talk to
Him about them openly and honestly, receive His forgiveness, and
rejoice that you don't have to be condemned. I am sure that, like me,
you want to change, and God will indeed change us into His image as
we continue in His Word and place our trust in Him.
Father, I am sorry for all my sins, and I ask You to
strengthen me in every area where I am weak. I am excited about spiritual
growth, and I trust You to change me to be more and more like You. [My
Time with God by Joyce Meyer]
You may have heard someone say, If God is love, why does He
allow me to have these problems? You may have said it yourself.
But God doesnt send problems. He created humankind with free
will so we could make the choice to rebel against Him or to love and
glorify Him. We are not puppets on a string. Many of our problems come
from people who dont know or love God. Circumstances beyond our
control may create problems. Still others we bring on ourselves.
Whatever the cause, they can either make or break us. If we trust God to
help us solve problems, we will discover there is no problem too big
for God. Actually, God came in Christ to solve our most momentous
problems. The temptation is to try to solve them on our own. Resolve
today to seek to understand them, spread them out before the Lord and
thank Him in advance for what He is going to do. Then stand back and
expect miracles! [Prison Ministry Yokefellow Bible Study re How To
Handle Condemnation]
COMMENTARY
Not guilty; let him go free - what would those words mean
to you if you were on death row? The fact is that the whole human
race is on death row, justly condemned for repeatedly breaking
Gods holy law. Without Jesus we would have no hope at all. But thank
God! He has declared us not guilty and has offered us freedom
from sin and power to do his will. [Life Application SB]
In like manner you are a sinner. You cannot atone for your past
sins; you cannot change your heart and make yourself holy. But God
promises to do all this for you through Christ. You believe that promise.
You confess your sins and give yourself to God. You will to serve
Him. Just as surely as you do this, God will fulfill His word to you.
If you believe the promise, believe that you are forgiven and
cleansed, God supplies the fact; you are made whole, just as Christ gave
the paralytic power to walk when the man believed that he was
healed. It is so if you believe it. Do not wait to feel that you are
made whole, but say, "I believe it; it is so, not because I feel it,
but because God has promised." {SC 51}
When we speak of faith, there is a distinction that should be
borne in mind. There is a kind of belief that is wholly distinct from
faith. The existence and power of God, the truth of His word, are facts
that even Satan and his hosts cannot at heart deny. The Bible says
that "the devils also believe, and tremble;" but this is not faith.
James 2:19. Where there is not only a belief in God's word, but a
submission of the will to Him; where the heart is yielded to Him, the
affections fixed upon Him, there is faith--faith that works by love and
purifies the soul. Through this faith the heart is renewed in the image
of God. And the heart that in its unrenewed state is not subject to
the law of God, neither indeed can be, now delights in its holy
precepts, exclaiming with the psalmist, "O how love I Thy law! it is my
meditation all the day." Psalm 119:97. And the righteousness of the law is
fulfilled in us, "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Romans 8:1. {SC 63.2}
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
The Light of My Presence is shining upon you, in benedictions of
Peace. Let My Light shine in you; don't dim it with worries or fears.
Holiness is letting Me live through you. Since I dwell in you, you are
fully equipped to be holy. Pause before responding to people or
situations, giving My Spirit space to act through you. Hasty words and
actions leave no room for Me; this is atheistic living. I want to
inhabit all your moments - gracing your thoughts, words, and behavior.
(Rom. 8:1-2; Col. 1:27; 1Co. 6:19) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Rejoice that I have clothed you with garments of salvation.
This robe of righteousness is yours forever and ever! Because I am
your Savior, My perfect righteousness can never be taken away from
you. This means you don't need to be afraid to face your sins - or to
deal with them. As you become aware of sin in your life, confess it
and receive My forgiveness in full measure.
It is essential also to forgive yourself. Self-hatred is not
pleasing to Me, and it is very unhealthy for you. I urge you to take many
looks at Me for every look at your sins or failures. I am the perfect
antidote to the poison of self-loathing.
Since you are already precious in My sight, you don't have to
prove your worth by trying to be good enough. I lived a perfect life
on your behalf because I knew that you could not. Now I want you to
live in the glorious freedom of being My fully forgiven follower.
Remember that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Me. (Isa.
61:10; Mat. 1:21; 1Jo. 1:9; Rom. 8:1, 2) [Jesus Always by Sarah Young]
Rest in the stillness of My Presence while I prepare you for
this day. Let the radiance of My Glory shine upon you, as you wait on
Me in confident trust. Be still and know that I am God. There is
both a passive and an active side to trusting Me. As you rest in My
Presence, focusing on Me, I quietly build bonds of trust between us. When
you respond to the circumstances of your life with affirmations of
trust, you actively participate in this process.
I am always with you, so you have no reason to be afraid.
Your fear often manifests itself in excessive planning. Your mind is
so accustomed to this pattern of thinking that you are only now
becoming aware of how pervasive it is and how much it hinders your
intimacy with Me. Repent of this tendency and resist it, whenever you
realize you are wandering down this well-worn path. Return to My
Presence, which always awaits you in the present moment. I accept you back
with no condemnation. (Psa. 46:10; Rom. 8:1) [Jesus Calling by Sarah
Young]
Trust Me, and don't be afraid. I want you to view trials as
exercises designed to develop your trust muscles. You live in the midst of
fierce spiritual battles, and fear is one of Satan's favorite weapons.
When you start to feel afraid, affirm your trust in Me. Speak out
loud, if circumstances permit. Resist the devil in My Name, and he
will slink away from you. Refresh yourself in My holy Presence. Speak
or sing praises to Me, and My Face will shine radiantly upon you.
Remember that there is no condemnation for those who belong
to Me. You have been judged NOT GUILTY for all eternity. Trust Me,
and don't be afraid; for I am your Strength, Song, and Salvation.
(Jam. 4:7; Rom. 8:1, 2; Isa. 12:2) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Enjoy the warmth of My presence shining upon you. Feel your
face tingle as you bask in My Love-Light. I delight in you more than
you can imagine. I approve of you continuously, for I see you
cloaked in My Light, arrayed in My righteousness. There is no
condemnation for those who are clothed in Me! That is why I abhor the use of
guilt as a means of motivation among Christians.
Some pastors try to whip their people into action with
guilt-inducing sermons. This procedure can drive many people to work harder,
but the end does not justify the means. Guilt-evoking messages can
undermine the very foundation of grace in a believer's heart. A pastor may
feel successful when his people are doing more, but I look at their
hearts. I grieve when I see grace eroding, with weeds of anxious works
creeping in. I want you to relax in the assurance of My perfect Love. The
law of My Spirit of Life has freed you from the law of sin and
death. (Isaiah 61:10; Romans 8:1-2) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
There is no condemnation for those who are in Me. The law of
the Spirit of Life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Not many Christians know how to live in this radical freedom, which
is their birthright. I died to set you free; live freely in Me!
To walk along the path of freedom, you must keep your mind
firmly fixed on Me. Many voices proclaim: "This is the way for you to
go," but only My voice tells you the true way. If you follow the way
of the world with all its glitter and glamour, you will descend
deeper and deeper into an abyss. Christian voices also can lead you
astray: "Do this!" "Don't do that!" "Pray this way!" "Don't pray that
way!" If you listen to all those voices, you will become increasingly
confused.
Be content to be a simple sheep, listening for My voice and
following Me. I will lead you into restful green pastures and guide you
along paths of righteousness. (Rom. 8:1, 2; Isa. 30:21; John 10:27;
Psa. 23:1-3) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
No matter how you're feeling, remember that you are not on
trial. There is no condemnation for those who belong to Me - those who
know Me as Savior. You have already been judged "Not guilty!" in the
courts of heaven.
I came to earth to set you free from bondage to sin. I long
to see you living joyfully in that freedom. Learn to enjoy your
guilt-free position in My kingdom, refusing to be weighed down or shackled.
The world is in a fallen condition where sin and evil abound, but I
have overcome the world!
The best response to the grace lavished on you is
thankfulness - gratitude that fuels a desire to live according to My will.
The closer you live to Me, the better you can discern My will; also,
the more you can experience My Peace and Joy. Knowing Me intimately
helps you trust Me enough to receive Peace from Me even in the midst
of trouble. Overflowing with thankfulness has the delightful 'side
effect' of increasing your Joy. Live freely and joyously in My Presence,
beloved! (Rom. 8:1; John 8:36; 16:33; Col. 2:6, 7) [Jesus Always by Sarah
Young]
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Being born again takes a moment of faith, but becoming like
Christ is a lifelong process. [The One Year Bible Companion re Rom.
7:15]
Today, I Will Spend More Time Waiting For God Than Waiting For
Trouble. [Prison Ministry Yokefellow Bible Study]
EXCELLENT SERMONS OF THIS PASSAGE
Struggling With Sin by Ivan Blake:
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/60188315
Jesus " Freedom From Your Past by Randy Roberts:
https://vimeo.com/23814125
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
