There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1) We need to appreciate the revelation behind this scripture text. If we get so near to understanding it, I believe life could be so different. Notice Paul the apostle is talking about the present time.The word "now " indicates that he is talking about a truth that is applicable in the present time. There is therefore now no condemnation... The Greek word translated in English as condemnation is the word katakrima. This word is from another Greek word which is a compound word katakrino which literarily means to judge against. Katakrima is an adverse sentence given as a verdict against one who is found guilty in a court of law.It is a sentence of condemnation or damnation. As far as the present time is concerned, not even one man or woman or thing can bring an adverse sentence or verdict or judge against or damn those whose lives are engrafted in Christ. The reason for this is because Jesus is presently carrying on a ministry at the right hand of the father on our behalf as our advocate. The advocacy of Jesus even extends to those believers who are out of fellowship with the father as a result of sin. (John 2:1): My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: When a believer is out of fellowship with the father God through sin, although other believers might disapprove of him, he should remember that he has an advocate in heaven who pleads his cause before the Father God, Jesus the Righteous. Sin definitely will bring condemnation to our spirits but not from God. God does not bring a Charge against those he has made righteous or justified. He does not bring a charge against those he has acquitted and discharged of guilt. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. (Romans 8:33). God does not criminate, accuse, and call in question those he has justified. We are God's elect and as such His own favorite Children. When we sin however, our spirit will condemn us but if we confess our sins to God, He will forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 3:20, 21; 1 John 1:9): For if our heart condemn us... (1 John 3:20-21) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 ) Please realize that your heart is your spirit.The word heart and spirit is used interchangeably in the word of God. It is a synonym for the human spirit. Notice in the above scripture that it is our heart (spirit) that condemns us. This is true when we sin. Our heart condemns us. If we acknowledge our wrongdoings and deviations (sins) to God, He will send them away from our lives and will not hold us accountable for them any longer. He will relate to us as though we never sinned or did any wrong and He will wipe completely every record of those sins and will not remember them any more. He then heals us of the moral failure and makes us clean again and removes every trace of guilt that still remains in our heart as a result of sin. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 8:12 ) We cannot push forward or make meaningful progress in our spiritual lives when we cover our tracks (sins) from God but we experience a depth of His love when we go to Him in trust and sincerity to tell Him the truth about what we have done wrong: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy (Proverbs 28:13) God's tender love towards those who confess and forsake their sins is expressed in the meaning of the word mercy in Proverbs 28:13. The Hebrew word is racham, which literally means to fondle. In these expressions we observe that God lovingly reassures those who acknowledge to Him their wrongdoings and sins. He forgives them and assures them that nothing shall separate them from His great love towards them. ...to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit... As long as we are following after the leading of the Spirit of God within us not even one man or woman or thing can bring an adverse sentence or verdict against us. The Holy Spirit leads us in line with the teachings of the Word of God. Even in the midst of moral failure if we allow the Spirit of God to lead us back to repentance we shall not face condemnation. Walking after the Spirit of God when we sin is to respond to His leading in our heart to confess our sins to God in order to be forgiven and restored back to fellowship with Him. We can respond to the Holy Spirit's leading in our heart even when we are out of fellowship with God. Refusing to respond to the Holy Spirit's leading in our heart will be a walk after the flesh and our heart will condemn us Copyright 2003-2012 Abounding Love Christian Centre::All Rights Reserved |
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