Minister Henderson
No Condemnation!
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“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 (KJV)
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The Bible confirms that outside of Christ all people are guilty in God’s sight and deserve His wrath and punishment. But, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, God provides the means of removing our guilt and fear of punishment. Jesus’ death and resurrection opened the way for believers to experience the blessings and freedom of being in a right relationship God. The blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, cleanses believers from sin and gives us a new life.
As we seek to walk in the newness of life sometimes mistakes are made. In Christ, all we have to do is repent and not be led by feelings of condemnation. This is what the enemy wants for believers. Satan is “a liar and the father of lies”. He is “the accuser of our brothers” who “accuses them day and night before our God”. Our adversary, the devil, attempts to separate us from God with condemnation and baseless fears about wrath, judgment, and punishment. But condemnation is one of Satan’s traps to keep us ineffective and useless in God’s kingdom. Condemnation produces life altering fear in a man’s heart. But the word informs us that God has not given us a spirit of fear. We can take that on the road or use it right at home.
The Lord said to Joshua, Moses, my servant is dead. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you, I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous. The apostle Paul writes, “For God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. The word informs us that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Thankfully, Jesus understands our weaknesses, and acts as our heavenly attorneys, interceding continuously on our behalf before God.
We are also given God’s armor to wear as we “fight the good fight of the faith”. When we fall short of the mark, we confess our sins and receive God’s forgiveness. Christ’s blood has already paid the price for all our offenses, past, present, and future. It is appropriate for Christians to have a healthy, respectful, and reverential fear of God and His holiness. But we don’t have to fear His divine wrath and punishment, which are reserved for the godless, disobedient, and wicked who refuse God’s offer of salvation in Jesus Christ.
In Christ, His perfect love drives out fear. God’s love means that He is with us in our troubles. He does not merely send grace from heaven to meet our trials. He Himself comes to help us. “Fear not,” He says to us, “I am the one who helps you.” So be encouraged and of good faith today.