I was a fairly new Christian when I read:
“Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” (Romans 8:1-2, AMP)
WOW! Let those 2 verses sink in… they speak directly to YOU!
The requirement: those who are in Christ Jesus, believing in Him as personal Lord and Savior.
The reward: no condemnation, see free from the law of sin and death.
This is what we automatically receive when we accept Jesus as our Lord – believing in Him, who He was, what He did, and what He continues to be and do.
However, the catch – we can no longer act as the poor ‘wretch’ we were. We can no longer casually act and speak. Yes we were accepted just as we were but we aren’t left in that state. We are a new creation! 1 Corinthians 5:17-21 AMP
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].” (v. 17)
“… old things… passed away… new things have come…” This is who we are now. Perhaps unfamiliar, perhaps shakily, but how exciting. We can leave that old person and become a new one. However, this is something WE do, it is always our decision – we are never forced.
And putting off the old (Ephesians 4:22-24), the familiar isn’t easy… it can be hard because those that populated our lives may not understand or accept what has happened in our life. Putting on the new can be difficult as well because we are still learning, still discovering who we are as this new creation. BUT we can do it because we are equipped to do this. Always remember that the Lord will never ask us to do something we can’t!
Verse, 19 tells us:
“…that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God].”
We have a very important message and charge – bringing the life-saving message of reconciliation. It is a beautiful message and critical to help people come into the light. Thus, our feelings of condemnation have no place. It may be easier to think this of ourselves, but with this great opportunity to touch lives, to make a difference we can’t afford to look at ourselves as who we were.
These scriptures: Romans 8:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, and Ephesians 4:22-24 are our foundation to act, speak, be, do. It is our privilege. Our passion in sharing with others will increase as our understanding of not being condemned grows. Being not condemned is not arrogance, actually it should bring humility.
