February 21, 2022
Central Truth
In Christ, we are eternally free from the judgment of our sin. ALL of it.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 1 8:1 Some manuscripts add who walk not according to the flesh (but according to the Spirit) 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you 2 8:2 Some manuscripts me free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 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, 3 8:3 Or and as a sin offering he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 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. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus 4 8:11 Some manuscripts lack Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
12 So then, brothers, 5 8:12 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 29 we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons 6 8:14 See discussion on sons in the Preface of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because 7 8:27 Or that the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, 8 8:28 Some manuscripts God works all things together for good, or God works in all things for the good for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be 9 8:31 Or who is against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 10 8:34 Or Is it Christ Jesus who died for us? 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
There are so many great places to go in Romans 8. I personally never got past the first verse.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) I remember not fully grasping that truth when I first began my walk with the Lord. Instead, I carried shame and guilt from my past. It wasn't until someone asked me a few diagnostic questions that I understood what Christ had done for me. It was a game changer!
God has allowed me to serve at the Watermark Health clinics as a nurse over the past four years. I engage with and care for patients. I start by asking their medical history. This assessment helps guide the treatment of the patients.
Then, I get to ask these same questions someone once asked me: If you were to stand before God, and He asked you, "Why should I let you into heaven?," what would you say? On a scale from 0-10, how confident are you that He would allow you into heaven?
The responses are often tearful confessions of their sins or actions that make them feel unworthy, guilty, and ashamed. I take time to tell or remind them of what God has done.
The liberating truth of Romans 8:1 offers hope and joy for today, as well as eternity for those in Christ! The entire chapter actually offers hope. Paul is telling us in Romans 8 that salvation is by grace and through faith alone.
He goes on in the rest of Romans 8:2-39 to teach us that we have a new life in the Spirit. The Spirit of God who gives power to live a faithful life helps us in our weakness.
The end of Romans 8 is just as encouraging as the beginning. I guess that's why it's one of my favorite places to go to encourage patients. We cannot be separated from His love. What a truth we all can be encouraged with!
The sweetness of God allows me the opportunity to encourage others with the same questions someone once asked me.
1. Do you believe that Jesus has fully paid the price for ALL your sins? Hanging onto our sin robs us of the joy the Lord has for us.
2. Whom in your day can you encourage, or maybe even lead to Christ with these simple questions?
3. Have you found a place in your local body where you can share the talents and gifts God has given you?
There are close to 100 areas of service at Watermark that would benefit from your participation.
God allows us to take part in His work not only for His eternal glory, but also to encourage our own hearts and grow our faith!