Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. English Standard Version (ESV)
Continuing on from yesterday's verses from chapter 7 and slavery to sin we have a total change of pace, change of direction in Romans 8. If we are in Christ we don't receive condemnation, but we receive the "gift of God which is eternal life" (Rom. 6:23). We are free!
Yesterday we looked at one of the great hymns, "Amazing Grace". When I read Romans 8:1, especially the words "no condemnation", I am always reminded of another hymn "And Can it Be" and in particular the last stanza:
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th'eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th'eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Being set free, being truly alive, allows us to live for Him and not only that to approach God as our Abba Father, "daddy" as seen later in Romans 8. We'll close by taking a look at a couple verses from Hebrews 4 that echo these feelings.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Amplified Bible (AMP)
If we've been set free in Christ, let us approach Him boldly with our needs and hearts desires, He will provide the "well timed help, just when we need it."
In Christ,
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Romans 8:1-4
Amplified Bible (AMP)
8 Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death.
3 For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice],
4 So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit].
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