“Therefore, there is now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus
the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and
death.” Romans 8:1-2
In the previous
chapter, Paul reminds his readers of their continued sinfulness. They are now free from the power of sin and
death, bought by the blood of Christ who bore our sins and died in our place.
Old
Testament Law was established to shine a light on the sinfulness of man. A person guilty of breaking one of the Laws
is as guilty as a person who has broken them all. A sacrifice was necessary to cover their sin. Notice it didn’t remove it, just covered it by virtue of the blood of an animal sacrifice as
required by God. Those who are in Christ
have no condemnation placed upon them even if they should sin after being saved
and they will. Confession is necessary
and forgiveness sought even after salvation has been attained. Christ readily forgives any and all sin that
we have committed, although the consequences of that sinful action must play
out. We are pardoned from death, but not
the domino effect that follows. This is
why we must weigh carefully that which we say and do. Our actions and reactions can either be a blessing
to others or a curse upon us.
To be
condemned is to have judgment pronounced against you. Without Christ’s forgiveness we stand
condemned by our own actions. Sin is a
crippling thing that locks us up and makes us walking dead men and women. That is until we are made free by Christ’s
blood. Then the shackles fall off and we
are forever free of our bondage. So many
are bound up in sin and don’t realize it because they think life it was it is
and nothing can be done to change the course they are on. The interesting thing is that they reject the
very payment provided for their sin, thinking it would rob them of their
ability to live as they choose. They
don’t understand that once a soul is freed it no longer has to be a slave to
sin. That is where true freedom
lies. Until Christ’s return, walk with
the King and be a blessing!
Resource(s): 1) The
Reformation Study Bible; 2) The American Heritage Dictionary of the English
Language.
