THEN YOU'LL REALLY PAY
Romans 8:1a
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...
Spencer once said, "If Holy Scripture were a ring and the epistle to the Romans its precious stone, chapter eight would be the sparkling point of the jewel." What better place to begin this prized chapter than with Paul's reconfirmation of one of the cornerstone principles of our faith: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation".
In John 8:10-11, Jesus spoke to a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery: "Jesus straightened up and asked her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' 'No one, sir,' she said. 'Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared. 'Go now and leave your life of sin.'" When we come to the Lord in honesty and admit our sin -- acknowledging when we do so that His sacrifice was sufficient to pay for our sin -- then He will set us free from it as well.
You might say: "Hold on a second, didn't Jesus also say: 'Go now and leave your life of sin.' Therefore, isn't leaving the life of sin the key?" Perhaps, but I don't think Jesus' tone was the same as we might use with one another if caught in sin. He didn't say: "Okay sister, I'll let you off the hook this one time. But if I ever catch you again -- then you'll really pay!"
Rather, I think His voice was full of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. He might have said: "Because of the love I've showed and shared with you -- I liberate you from the desires of your flesh. You are now free to live in a completely different way. Go your way a woman free from sin." Let me ask you a question: Do you think there was a smile upon His face or a finger of admonishment, warning, and condemnation in her face?
In John 8:10-11, Jesus spoke to a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery: "Jesus straightened up and asked her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' 'No one, sir,' she said. 'Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared. 'Go now and leave your life of sin.'" When we come to the Lord in honesty and admit our sin -- acknowledging when we do so that His sacrifice was sufficient to pay for our sin -- then He will set us free from it as well.
You might say: "Hold on a second, didn't Jesus also say: 'Go now and leave your life of sin.' Therefore, isn't leaving the life of sin the key?" Perhaps, but I don't think Jesus' tone was the same as we might use with one another if caught in sin. He didn't say: "Okay sister, I'll let you off the hook this one time. But if I ever catch you again -- then you'll really pay!"
Rather, I think His voice was full of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. He might have said: "Because of the love I've showed and shared with you -- I liberate you from the desires of your flesh. You are now free to live in a completely different way. Go your way a woman free from sin." Let me ask you a question: Do you think there was a smile upon His face or a finger of admonishment, warning, and condemnation in her face?
Who has the right to condemn? Does your mother, father, spouse, boss, pastor, or anyone else? What about you -- do you have the right to condemn others? Do you even have the right to condemn yourself? Do you wag your finger in the mirror, chastising yourself over your latest foolish act? Is to do so God's will, or are you violating His Holy Word? The Apostle Paul tells us: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation." Why? Because Jesus paid for our sin -- once and for all. It is one of the basic cornerstones of our faith. If Jesus doesn't condemn, then why do we?
POCKETPWER.ORG
Labels: blogging, careers, dating, dreams, faith, goals, health, hopes, jobs, life, life relationships, plans, poetry, relationships, religion, romance, sermons, travel, work, writing
posted by Unknown at 6:09 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home