As we continue talking about our freedom in Christ, we understand that the most important freedom we have is our freedom from the penalty of our sin. Today’s Bible Journaling comes from Romans 8:1-2, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (CSB) Jesus has paid the penalty for us!
In J. Vernon McGee’s Commentary on Romans, he writes that verse one should literally read, “Therefore now, not one condemnation.” Isn’t that an amazing thought? There is nothing for which God condemns us. We don’t need to worry about being condemned because Jesus took care of our penalty for sin on the cross. As Believers, we do at times, fall into sin. But we don’t have to stay there, and when we repent and ask forgiveness, God forgives, and we are free. He does not condemn us. If we feel any condemnation, it comes from the enemy. It is Satan who sits on our shoulder pointing out our faults and failures, condemning us, telling us we are not good enough to be a Christian, telling us that God couldn’t possibly love us and that because we failed we have lost our place in God’s family. The Apostle Paul tells us, “not one condemnation”, is placed upon us! We are justified. Justification can be defined as, “Just as if I hadn’t sinned.” The dictionary defines justification as, “the action of declaring or making righteous in the sight of God.” That is just what Jesus did for us on the cross. His death on the cross paid for the penalty of our sins. He took our sins upon Himself.
Our verse tells us also that “the law of the Spirit of Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” In J. Vernon McGee’s commentary, he states, ‘“The law of the Spirit’ means not only a principle of law, but also the authority which is exercised by the Spirit. ‘The Spirit of life’ means the Holy Spirit who brings life because He essentially is life. He is the Spirit of life. ‘In Christ Jesus’ means that the Holy Spirit is in complete union with Christ Jesus. Because the believer shares the life of Christ, He liberates the believers.” Isn’t that amazing? Because we share Jesus’ life, we are freed because of what He did for us.
So, how do we go about sharing in the life of Christ so that we may be liberated? We must believe that Jesus is God’s Son, was born of a virgin, lived on earth to preach and teach about who God is, was beaten, tortured, and crucified to pay the penalty of our sins, was buried for three days, resurrected, and ascended to Heaven to reign with His Father. We must repent (ask forgiveness) of all our sins, ask Him to live within us, change us, and endeavor to live for Him, and then thank Him for His grace to us. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (CSB) Once we have accepted Jesus as Savior, we can receive freedom from our sins.
If you are looking for that freedom, take that step forward. Ask Jesus to save you from your sins and live inside of you. Don’t put it off. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “…now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation! You will find that it will be the best decision you have ever made. Then you will experience that freedom from the penalty of sin and death, and you will find that you are living with peace and joy in your heart.
donnasmusings 