Condemned Or Free
This morning I was in Romans 8 again; one of my favorite chapters in all of Scripture because it’s so rich in promises, hope and assurance of our standing as believers in Jesus Christ. And I was reminded in verses 1 and 2, that “There is NOW no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
I have friends who have spent time in the gray bar hotel for various activities that earned them a period of condemnation, away from society. Today’s verse started me thinking that there are only two camps; those who are living under the condemnation of sin (the Bible calls it “according to the flesh”) and those of us who have turned our lives over to Jesus (the Bible says “according to the spirit”). Most who are in the first category are not behind bars. They go through life wrongly thinking that they are free. They are not. They are in bondage to sin.
Scripture does not pull punches.
Still in Romans 8, “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” (v.6) This is talking about spiritual death, and what happens when we die. This is where you must believe and accept the authority of Scripture and recognize that if you’re not “in Christ,” your eternal future is one of never-ending condemnation.
But it doesn’t end there, Keep reading, there is good news ahead. Jesus told His disciples, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus also told the crowd, “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (John8:36).
Today’s title suggests two states of being.
They are also choices. One, freedom, must be a conscious decision. The other is our default. And the beauty is that there is no pedigree, no monetary requirement, no amount of good deeds required to come to Christ. Again, Jesus speaking, “…the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out” (John 6:37).
Many will not do what is necessary to become part of God’s family; namely repent and turn to Jesus. They believe they would have to give up their lifestyle and stop having fun. Nothing could be further from the truth. The devil, who is the father of lies, plants those thoughts because he wants all the company he can get in hell.
The Bible tells us in Psalm 16:11,
“You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” That doesn’t sound like boredom and killjoy. My suggestion is that you consider the word “now.” Scripture says, “…now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).
Scripture also warns us, “…unless you repent, you will perish” (Luke 13:3). And our option, “…I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live” (Deut. 30:19).
Make today the day
you decide your eternal future by turning your life over to Jesus. There is a section on this site, Steps To Salvation, to help you know how God views you now and in the future.
Thanks for reading.