"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, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:1-4
Romans 8 is one of my favorite chapters in all of Scripture! (I know, I have a lot of favorites, it is all just that good!) The verses following this passage talk about the battle between living in the sinful nature/flesh and living according to the Spirit. It is beautiful because it shows us that none of us are automatically changed completely when we become Christians, but that there will continue to be a battle, a struggle, and a war within ourselves as we continue to live in this world. And we can be encouraged as we battle within ourselves: "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). Christ is already the victor over sin in this world and He will be with you and is the conqueror over sin in your life.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Is there any greater news for you and I as believers?! Before God, we will never stand condemned! So when we sin, why should we condemn ourselves and bury ourselves in guilt and depression? Don't fall to that temptation, but stand firm in the assurance that God does not condemn you.
"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." You can stand firm in the assurance that God does not condemn you because Christ has set you free. You have the Holy Spirit with you and you are not held to slavery to sin. You have a new master!
"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." What was the law supposed to do? It was supposed to be the standard of separating righteousness from sin. The law could never be a standard though of who would be righteous in God's eyes and who wouldn't, because no one could ever follow the law perfectly. So God did what the law could never do: God made a way to make you and I righteous so that we could enjoy being with Him for all eternity. He sent His Son, Jesus, to be like us and stand in our place. On the cross, Christ made sin's grip on humanity fall away. Sin no longer holds those who belong to Christ.
"In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." Christ fulfilled the law perfectly, and so as His death paid the "righteous requirement of the law", the fulfillment of the law was placed on each believer. So when you sin, God still sees you as righteous, because Christ has fulfilled the law completely for you. And what are you to do now? Walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Although you will sin, don't try to purposely sin! Try to live every moment glorifying and honoring Him, which is walking according to the Spirit.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Christ to fulfill the righteous requirement of the law. Your ways are perfect. Without You and Your Spirit, I would pursue my own sinful and selfish desires. Thank You for setting me free so that I can pursue You instead. Help me to trust You when I do sin. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Romans 8 is one of my favorite chapters in all of Scripture! (I know, I have a lot of favorites, it is all just that good!) The verses following this passage talk about the battle between living in the sinful nature/flesh and living according to the Spirit. It is beautiful because it shows us that none of us are automatically changed completely when we become Christians, but that there will continue to be a battle, a struggle, and a war within ourselves as we continue to live in this world. And we can be encouraged as we battle within ourselves: "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). Christ is already the victor over sin in this world and He will be with you and is the conqueror over sin in your life.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Is there any greater news for you and I as believers?! Before God, we will never stand condemned! So when we sin, why should we condemn ourselves and bury ourselves in guilt and depression? Don't fall to that temptation, but stand firm in the assurance that God does not condemn you.
"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." You can stand firm in the assurance that God does not condemn you because Christ has set you free. You have the Holy Spirit with you and you are not held to slavery to sin. You have a new master!
"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." What was the law supposed to do? It was supposed to be the standard of separating righteousness from sin. The law could never be a standard though of who would be righteous in God's eyes and who wouldn't, because no one could ever follow the law perfectly. So God did what the law could never do: God made a way to make you and I righteous so that we could enjoy being with Him for all eternity. He sent His Son, Jesus, to be like us and stand in our place. On the cross, Christ made sin's grip on humanity fall away. Sin no longer holds those who belong to Christ.
"In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." Christ fulfilled the law perfectly, and so as His death paid the "righteous requirement of the law", the fulfillment of the law was placed on each believer. So when you sin, God still sees you as righteous, because Christ has fulfilled the law completely for you. And what are you to do now? Walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Although you will sin, don't try to purposely sin! Try to live every moment glorifying and honoring Him, which is walking according to the Spirit.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Christ to fulfill the righteous requirement of the law. Your ways are perfect. Without You and Your Spirit, I would pursue my own sinful and selfish desires. Thank You for setting me free so that I can pursue You instead. Help me to trust You when I do sin. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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