FollowingJesus.me

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” –Romans 8:1

Prior to this verse, Paul spends a lot of time talking about the law, its place and purpose, and humanity’s utter inability to live up to it. There is no one righteous, no not one AND no one is justified by the works of the law. Paul goes on to explains Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, his dying that we might have life. Finally, Paul admits his own internal struggle, wrestling with sin and grace. That all leads up to this famous verse — Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…”

Today it is sinking in (deeper) that condemnation is not removed because I stopped sinning. Somehow, I keep slipping into the thinking that in Christ, I have cleaned up my life and therefore condemnation is removed. This is NOT the case. Paul says earlier that “no-one is justified by works of the law” — clean living does NOT equal justification. Justification ONLY comes through the death and resurrection of JESUS, his taking our punishment upon himself once for all.

My mistakes and sins, even the ones I will commit tomorrow, have already been paid for. There is no sin I can commit that will be bigger or cost more than the price already paid by Jesus’ death on the cross (the shedding of His own blood).

This causes conflict within me. When I sin (fall short), even on purpose, God is not surprised. He already knew and already paid the price for that sin. My failure may surprise me, but it does not surprise Him. In Christ, that sin is not counted against me. God is not keeping score.

As if that is not enough… In Christ, God looks at me and sees only the righteousness of His son, Jesus. He looks at me in my mistakes and failures (sins) and sees perfection. I see the sin, I know my part and my guilt, but God sees Jesus. That sin, those sins are not remembered against me anymore.

Further still, the love, the admiration, the acceptance that the Father has for His Son is now directed at me. As much as the Father loves the Son, God loves me that same amount. God the Father does not love me any less than He loves His Son, Jesus. The same is true for you — God does not love you any less than He loves Jesus.

Let that sink in.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, thank you for the reminder today and for moving that truth deeper into my heart and soul. Help me to stay “in Christ.” Help the Father’s love to keep sinking in and then help it to pour out to those around me. Thank you for your help and thank you for your LOVE!

Thank you, Jesus!