Condemnation

Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."  What does this mean?  Does it mean that no one has the right to hold anything against us?  Does it mean that whatever we do is not held against us by God?   What it means is that no matter what we do, if we are in Christ, we will not lose our salvation.  We are eternally secure in the promises of God- that he saves us and we will spend eternity in heaven with him.  What does God save us from?  Punishment for sins committed or maybe Hell?  God actually saves us from himself.  He saves us from his wrath.  The wrath that he promises will be the future for all unbelievers.  Does that mean that we can do anything we want, right or wrong, any time we want and we can live life how ever we want and it's all OK with God and He will forgive us of anything?  No, if we are a disciple of Christ, we will want to learn about him and follow him and be obedient to his word and our call.  This means that we will not want to do things that displease God, and sin and selfish behavior definitely displease him.  A person who claims to be a christian and continues in blatant sinful behavior should cause us to consider whether that person is really a christian.  The proof of the Holy Spirit indwelling us is a righteous life.

In 2 Timothy 1:12, Paul wrote, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."  What day is that?  That is the day when Jesus comes back to claim his bride, the church, at the Rapture.  Philippians 1:6 says, "He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."  Jude 1:24 says, "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy..."

So, God saves us from his wrath, and there is no condemnation for us, and God is able to do good works in us and keep us until Christ comes back for us.  That is some awesome truth!!

God also causes all things to work together for our eternal good because we love God and are called according to His purpose.  (Romans 8:28)  This means that all thing that happen in our lives, if we are a christian, whether good things or bad things, or righteous thing or sinful things, God causes them all to work together for our eternal good.  How does this happen?  Romans 8:30 says, "Those whom He predestined He called, whom He called He justified, whom He justified He glorified."  The beginning and the end are finished.  No one will be left out.  We will all make it all the way to the end and God will use every event, decision, and act of ours to bring about His purposes to His glory.

Romans 8:31 says, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"  Plainly and simply, NO ONE!!

I remain, in Him,

JT