5 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
Romans 8:1-2 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Pastor Adrian Rogers once said: “The Christian life hasn’t failed. It’s just never been tried yet.” With those words, he made it clear that far too many people who say that they have tried Christianity have never truly understood it and lived in light of what God has said is true.
For instance, how is a Christian to think about sin and guilt? Well, simply put, if we are truly born again, we will feel guilty when we sin. In fact, we will feel so convicted by the sin that we will eventually (sooner rather than later) make it right. Our conscience and the Holy Spirit within us won’t let us experience peace until we make it right.
Further, it is also true that God the Father may discipline us if we remain in sin too long (Hebrews 12:5-11). Because He loves us, He will do whatever it takes to get us back on the road to holiness and close to His heart.
Yet, that being the case, it is also true that we should not live under a sense of condemnation. The moment we trusted in Jesus for salvation, all of our sins (past, present, and future) were forgiven. Our sin debt was paid by King Jesus and we were declared completely righteous.
So when God now deals with our sins, it isn’t out of anger. He isn’t standing as our judge to condemn us. No! We have been credited with the righteousness of Christ (Romans 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9)!
Romans 8:1-2 (CSB): “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
That being the case, my friend, if you feel condemnation when you struggle with sin, it’s not God. He is now your Father who loves you dearly. While He may disciple you to bring you back and cause you to stop engaging in a particular sin, He is motivated by love and not condemnation.
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Lord Jesus, thank You for saving me, for forgiving me, and for crediting me with Your righteousness. Because of this, Your Father and my Heavenly Father is no longer angry at me. He no longer stands in judgment and condemns me. Instead, He relates to me as a child that He dearly loves, even when I temporarily stray. Help me, as I study my Bible, to understand so much more deeply all that happened when I was saved and what it all means to me. I want to know those truths so that I can live in light of them. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 