Today’s Reading:
Romans 8:1-17
“THEREFORE, THERE is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and saviour]. For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do [that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power] being weakened by the flesh [man’s nature without the Holy Spirit], God did: He sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son]. (v. 1-3, AMPV)
To a man in chains in the cell, who has been condemn to death, the words of our topic today means he has been FREED! He would live and no more be put to death! That is the situation of all human race before Christ came in the scene. From the time of Adam and Eve, we could not keep God’s holy laws, and death is the penalty of sin. Jesus put on sinful human flesh and was made a sacrifice for the sin of the world. Thank God for His prerogative of mercy. God declared us not guilty and has offered us freedom, liberty from sin and its power over us (v. 1). Those who have given their lives to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour should not feel hopeless in the midst of our wretched world. The Spirit of God in us has quicken our mortal bodies. And NOW, there is no more condemnation, no more guilt, no more punishment for those who are in Christ Jesus, who believe in Him as personal Lord and Saviour. God has made provision for us, not just in heaven but NOW by the power of the Holy Spirit in us, at new birth. The Holy Spirit, the third personality of Godhead is now in control, He has broken us loose and freed us from the clutches of sin and death, that is, the works of our sinful flesh. The Holy Spirit is the power of God who lives in us, and he is at work in us.
This is why we must keep our bodies holy because it houses the Holy Spirit of God, who is holy. The Holy Spirit empowers us to do exploit for God, He empowers us to do all things according to the will of God. Things we ordinarily would not have done. This is why believers can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was there at creation (Genesis 1 – 2); He is responsible for the new birth of every believer; He transforms lives; He gives us the enablement to live a holy and righteous life. Many of us still live with the burden of guilt of sin, this makes us to live in flesh rather than in the Spirit. When we do this, we are bound to make mistakes in our choices. When the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, we should immediately ask God for forgiveness, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness. We should believe we have been forgiven and forgive ourselves. Then ask the Holy Spirit to help us and deliver us from sin (Ps 103:12; Hebrews 10:17-18).
Guilt is an unseen burden that wears us out and this will do us no good at all. We will not be able to move forward in Christ as it hinders our relationship with God. We are to boldly, but humbly with faith, approach the throne of the Father. May God help us all, in Jesus name.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
Father, thank You for giving us our Saviour, Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.
Thank you because we are no more slaves but members of Your holy family, in Jesus name.
Father, when Satan comes with loads of accusation; by the power of Your Holy Spirit, empower me to remind him – Now there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, in Jesus name.
Help me always to walk in the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name.
Father, uphold Christian families with your truth and power, in Jesus name.
By the power in the blood of Jesus, we pull down the stronghold of death and hell in our nation, in Jesus name.
Comentários