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Romans 8:1-4

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, ^{so that} the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

This week, we have considered the Spirit versus the flesh battle that takes place in the Christian life. Yesterday, we said that the battle must be acknowledged, understood, and surrendered to the Spirit’s control. Today, Paul gives us three truths that we need to write on a 3×5 card and keep in a strategic place to remind ourselves.

1. I have been declared, “Not guilty!” Sin’s penalty has been paid in full by Jesus, and my debt has been forgiven. In Christ, there is no condemnation; I am protected for eternity. There is nothing I can do to make God love me more. There is nothing I can do to make God love me less. Nothing will ever separate me from his love. I will never experience the penalty of eternal death and separation from God. Today I can live in confidence and security!
2. I am free! There was a time when the law of sin and death was my master. It exercised its power, authority, and control over me. No longer! No longer does sin set the direction for my life. Through Christ, I have been set free from sin’s control!
3. I am who I am by the grace of God! Try as I might, I could never attain the standards of the law, so God did for me what I could not do for myself. He sent his Son “in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin.” When Christ died on the cross, he “condemned sin.” The word condemn carries the idea of a “sentence” and an “execution.” The sin nature I struggle with is on death row. It still makes a good bit of noise as it rattles the prison bars, but one day (when I die or Christ returns) it will finally and forever be executed and eradicated from my person forever!

Lord Jesus, you have taken away the condemnation that would have sent me to a hellish eternal separation from God. You have set me free from sin’s control. You gave yourself as a sin offering for me. How can I ever thank you?! In your name. Amen.

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