Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death Romans 8:1-2 [NIV]
My devotionals this week are about my favorite quotes from the epistles of St Paul. They are all quotes that have had a deep effect on my life, we have all heard them before but they are always worth looking at again and maybe they will speak to you in a new way this week.
The chapter break interrupts Paul’s flow. In chapter seven he has been telling us that the law does not work because no matter how hard he tries to keep it he just can’t help breaking it. He asks the question ‘What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?’ then answers that only Christ can do this…therefore…
So, no condemnation then. I know that, the Bible says so but I just can’t help condemning myself. When I make a mistake, when I am less than kind, when I don’t pray enough, when I see the results of the selfishness of man in my world, when I realise that something I have done does not reflect my faith…I could go on. I tell myself that I should have done more, that I ought to have more faith, more love, be more generous.
These days I forgive myself more readily, but I remember a time when this kind of guilt weighed me down and made my Christian life a misery. These days I recognise that I will always fall short of God’s perfection but it is the good that I do which makes a difference in this world. Doing good doesn’t save me either but it has benefit for me and others in a real way and brings the Kingdom of God closer.
How much time have I wasted this week condemning myself when the Word of God clearly says ‘There is no Condemnation for those in Christ Jesus?’ I like the way The Message puts it.
Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.
