Life in the Spirit
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:1
now no condemnation... This proves that the experience of Rom. 7:7-24 was not Paul’s at the time of the writing of Romans, for several reasons:
1. Paul had no condemnation (Rom. 8:1).
2. Paul was free from the law of sin (Rom. 8:2).
3. Paul was free from eternal death (Rom. 8:2).
4. Paul’s sin condemned in his flesh (Rom. 8:3).
5. Paul was fulfilled righteousness (Rom. 8:4).
6. Paul had life and peace (Rom. 8:6).
7. Paul was Spirit-filled (Rom. 8:9-11).
8. Paul’s body was dead to sin (Rom. 8:10).
9. Paul’s flesh was crucified (Rom_8:12-13).
10. Paul was walking in the Spirit and not after the flesh (Rom. 8:1-4; Gal. 5:16-26).
in Christ Jesus... Thirty-four Blessings in Christ:
1. Redemption (Rom. 3:24; 1Cor. 1:30)
2.Freedom from condemnation (Rom. 8:1)
3. Spirit of life (Rom. 8:2)
4. Love of God (Rom. 8:39; 1Tim. 1:14)
5. Truth (Rom. 9:1)
6. Unity (Rom. 12:15; Gal. 3:28)
7. Faith (Acts 24:24; 1Tim. 3:13)
8. Sanctification (1Cor. 1:2, 1:30)
9. Wisdom (1Cor. 1:30; 4:10)
10. Righteousness (1Cor. 1:30)
11. Begetting (1Cor. 4:15)
12. Hope (1Cor. 15:19)
13. Security in death (1Cor. 15:18)
14. Resurrection (1Cor. 15:1-58; 1Thes. 4:1-18)
15. Joy (1Cor. 15:31)
16. Establishment in God (2Cor. 1:21)
17. Triumph (2Cor. 2:14)
18. Un-corrupt Word (2Cor. 2:17)
19. Law abolished (2Cor. 3:6-15)
20. New creation (2Cor. 5:17-18)
21. Simplicity (2Cor. 11:3)
22. Liberty (Gal. 2:4)
23. All spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3)
24. Power (Eph. 1:20)
25. Heavenly places (Eph. 2:6)
26. Nearness to God (Eph. 2:13)
27. Eternal purpose (Eph. 3:11)
28. Self-humbling (Phlp. 3:14)
29. High calling (Phlp. 3:14)
30. Perfection (Col. 1:28)
31. Eternal life (2Tim. 1:11)
32. Grace (2Tim. 2:1)
33. Salvation (2Tim. 2:10)
34. Preservation (Jude 1:1)
So many Christians want to stop with the statement “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus”. This statement is true only, if the last part of this statement is kept. Salvation is a daily walk. There is no condemnation in righteousness. If we walk in righteousness, not after the flesh but after the Spirit of God there is no condemnation. To preach that Christians are above condemnation when they are living like the world is in error. If you are walking in the Spirit of God, there is nothing to condemn you for.
The word condemnation is used only three times in the New Testament and only in the book of Romans. “Condemnation” refers to a verdict of guilty and the penalty that verdict demands. No sin a true believer commits whether past, present or future can be held against him, since the penalty was paid by Christ and righteousness was imputed to the believer.
Power for sanctification
The question naturally arises, Must a believer spend his whole life on earth frustrated by ongoing defeats to indwelling sin? (Rom. 7:21-25) Is there no power provided to achieve victory? The answer to the first question is no and to the second, yes. In Rom. 8:1-39, Paul described the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God who is the source of divine power for sanctification and the secret for spiritual victory in daily living. But first Paul reminded his readers that therefore — since deliverance is “through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 7:25) — no condemnation (katakrima, “punishment”) awaits those who are in Christ Jesus, as a result of their faith and identification with Him (cf. Rom. 6:13; John 5:24). They are justified, declared righteous, and therefore stand in His grace (Rom. 5:2) and not under His wrath (Rom. 1:18), and possess eternal life (Rom. 5:17-18, 5:21). Christ is the sphere of safety for all who are identified with Him by faith. In the better Greek manuscripts, Rom. 8:1 ends here. The words “who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit” were probably transcribed from Rom. 8:4.
0 comments:
Post a Comment