NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM
By John C. Carpenter
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints, the apostle Paul
wrote, For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would
not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in
me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that
do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law
of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity
to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God
through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore
now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit
of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death (Romans 7:15-8:2. Referring to his own sin, Paul acknowledged
that he did evil things that he should not do, and that good things he should do, he did not do. Paul felt that no good thing dwells
in him, and that he had been brought into captivity to sin in his own mind and body. In his distress and desperation, Paul asked who
would and could deliver him from this law of sin and death. In his wisdom, Paul concluded that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus has made him free from the law of sin and death, and that, therefore, there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.
What
is condemnation, why is the unbeliever condemned, and what is the remedy for this condemnation? In Romans 8:1 above, the word condemnation is
translated from the Greek word katakrima, which means to judge against, a judgment followed by sentence, or an adverse sentence. Webster's
Collegiate Dictionary defines condemnation as to declare to be reprehensible or evil, after weighing evidence.
REASONS FOR CONDEMNATION
Why
does God condem the unbeliever? What are some of the reasons for being condemned? First of all, we all are rebellious sinners. In
Genesis, Adam and Eve's rebellion and sin in the garden of Eden not only brought condemnation and punishment to the serpent, but to
Adam and Eve, as well as to all of mankind as well. We read, the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou
art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days
of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou
shalt bruise his heel. Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth
children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened
unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the
ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee;
and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out
of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return (Genesis 3:14-19).
Israel was warned of many specific
curses resulting because of disobedience to the Jewish law, but these curses can be easily summarized with this one verse - Cursed
be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them (Deuteronomy 27:26). In God's original economy, failing to completely
obey each and every Jewish law could and would result in condemnation. As James instructs us, For whosoever shall keep the whole law,
and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all (James 2:10).
Next, our own pride can lead us into condemnation (1 Timothy 3:6);
and so can our swearing (James 5:12). Judging others will also lead us into condemnation. As Paul wrote to the Roman church,Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself;
for thou that judgest doest the same things. we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit
such things (Romans 2:1-2). Our unsound speech can also lead to God's [and man's] condemnation (Titus 2:8). We are warned, the tongue
is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth. And the tongue is a fire, a world
of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it
is set on fire of hell (James 3:5-6).
Having an angry grudge against others can also result in our condemnation. James, a servant
of God, explains, Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge [Greek, stenazo, to be
in straits, to sigh, murmur against, to pray inaudibly with grief, or to groan] not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold,
the judge standeth before the door (James 5:8-9).
We can also become under condemnation when we know the truth about God, yet
ontinue in our rebellion, ungodliness, and unrighteousness. Paul wrote, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men, who hold [Greek, katecho, to hold down, keep in memory, possess, or retain] the truth in unrighteousness;Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from
the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that
they are without excuse (Romans 1:18-20).
Blatant, carnal, unlawful sin will also result in our condemnation. Paul warned the
church in Rome, For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me (Romans 7:11), then concludes, O wretched
man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Romans 7:24). Later, Paul adds, For what the law could not do, in
that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are
after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded
is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to
the law of God, neither indeed can be (Romans 8:3-7).
Accepting doctrinal error and having improper faith can also certainly
lead us into God's condemnation. As Jude, the brother of James and half-brother of Jesus taught, Beloved, when I gave all diligence
to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend
for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained
to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus
Christ (Jude 1:3-4).
Jesus also taught that what we say can condemn us. He told the Pharisees, A good man out of the good treasure
of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you,
That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be
justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned (Matthew 12:35-37).
Belief in Christ is absolutely essential to God the Father
and His free gift and offer of salvation, and refusal to repent of unbelief will result in our eternal condemnation. As Jesus explained,The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas;
and, behold, a greater than Jonas [that is, Jesus Christ] is here (Matthew 12:41).
Next, extreme wickedness will result in God's
condemnation and divine judgment as well. For example, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah came under God's wrath and condemnation for
their sinful and atrocious behavior. The result was the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out
of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground (Genesis
19:24-25).
We all have have an inner sense of right and wrong, and when we do things that we know are wrong, we can feel guilty,
and have strong feelings of condemnation. In other terms, our conscience begins to convict us. In Paul's letter to the Roman church,
we see, For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged
by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles,
which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which
shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing
or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel (Romans 2:12-16).
As
we know, mankind can be found guilty and condemned for various reasons, but possibly the most serious, and eternal, is the rejecting
of Jesus as the Christ and Son of God. John clarifies this for us with his words. As Jesus explained to Nicodemus, God so loved
the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God
sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not
condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were
evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved (John 3:16-20).
CONDEMNED
TO WHAT
As we have seen, lots of things can result in our judgment and condemnation by God. We can and should legitimately ask,
what are unbelievers condemned to? What are some of the characteristics and fruits of condemnation?
In the book of Revelation,
we learn about one possible consequence of condemnation. John wrote, he [Christ] said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the
beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall
inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers,
and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:
which is the second death (Revelation 21:6-8). Fire, brimstone and the second death reflect the place of eternal punishment reserved
for the unbelieving and wicked. This place is also characterized by everlasting destruction [separation] from the presence and glory
of the Lord. Paul wrote to believers in Thessalonica, Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that
trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In
flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished
with everlasting destruction [Greek, olethros, to destroy, ruin, cause death, or punishment] from the presence [Greek, prosopon, the
front as being towards view, aspect, appearance, countenance, fashion, or person] of the Lord, and from the glory of his power (2
Thessalonians 1:6-9).
Next, condemnation results in a physical and spiritual death. As Paul taught the church in Rome, For when
ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? forthe end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness,
and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans
6:20-23). Paul clarified that when we are unrighteous servants of sin, our punishment is spiritual death, a death which refers to
eternal separation and alienation from God. Ezekiel also instructs us, the soul that sinneth, it shall die [Hebrew, muth, to die,
to be killed, dead body or man, death, to destroy, or to slay] (Ezekiel 18:4).
Talking to His disciples, Christ referred to the
final judgment and another form of condemnation. The Lord said, When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels
with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them
one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on
the left (Matthew 25:31-33). The Lord continued. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into
everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me
no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then
shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison,
and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the
least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting [Greek, aionios, perpetual, eternal, for ever, or since
the world began] punishment [Greek, kilasis, penal infliction, punishment, chastisement, or torment]: but the righteous into life[Greek, zoe, life literally or figuratively, to quicken, or lifetime] eternal (Matthew 25:41-46). Christ here refers to everlasting
penality of punishment, chastisement, and torment for the goats [unbelievers], but eternal quickening or life for the sheep [believers].
To
the church in Galatia, the apostle Paul mentioned another another result of condemnation, described as corruption. Paul wrote, Be
not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the
flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well
doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially
unto them who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:7-10). Sowing to or living in fleshly ways, as opposed to living according
to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and God's will, shall cause us to reap what is referred to here as corruption, which is translated
from the Greek word phthora, which means decay; ruin, literally or figuratively; perishing; or destruction. When we sow to the flesh,
we are also sowing decay and ruin into our own lives.
The curses and condemnation of God are the result of disobedience and wickedness.
In Deuteroomy, we read for example, it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe
to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake
thee: Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field. Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. Cursed shall
be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Cursed shalt thou be when
thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all
that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of
thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me (Deuteronomy 28:15-20). Chapter 28 includes many more curses as well; too many to list here.
Through
Isaiah, God warns, Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall
destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun
shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil,
and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible (Isaiah
13:11).
God the Father will also punish unbelivers for the evil they commit, as well as the wicked for the iniquity they commit.
God will also deal with arrogance and haughtiness. As we mentioned earlier, God will also bring His wrath upon all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men who know, but ignore and reject, God's truth. In his letter to the Romans, Paul warns, the wrath of God is
revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).
The
apostle Paul refers to an appointed day that God shall judge the world for its' wickedness and rebellion against God (Acts 17:31;
Rom 2:5-9), while Peter also refers to God's judgment of the wicked and the earth's destruction (2 Pet 2:4-3:7). Jude speaks of angels
which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment
of the great day (Jude 1:6).
Last, the ultimate condemnation can be seen in the great white throne judgment. John's revelation
explains: I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the
book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea
gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according
to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written
in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:12-15). John adds, But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable,
and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with
fire and brimstone: which is the second death (Revelation 21:8). With certain clarity, the scriptures connect evil, rebellion, sinfulness,
and wickedness with judgment and condemnation by God the Father and Christ, His Son. But God, through His own Son, gave us the solution
– Christ suffered, died and was resurrected to save the world.
CHRIST CAME INTO THE WORLD NOT TO CONDEMN, BUT TO SAVE
Since
he or she who has come to saving faith in Jesus as the Christ [the anointed One] and Son of God, we can ask, what did Christ's ministries,
life, suffering, death, and resurrection specifically accomplish? What things did Christ do that lead to believers not being condemned?
Well
first of all, we must understand that Jesus Christ did not come to bring condemnation upon the world, but to save it from condemnation,
judgment, and punishment. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name
of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:17-18).
The scriptures also teach us that Christ came not to present a ministration of
law, sin, condemnation, and death - but a ministration of life and salvation through the speaking and operation of the Holy Spirit.
Paul explained: Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth,
but the spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of
Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall
not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration
of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that
excelleth. For if that [the old testament law] which is done away was glorious, much more that [the new testament Holy Spirit] which
remaineth is glorious. Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech (2 Corinthians 3:6-12).
One of the
accomplishments of the cross of Christ is that the believer has received complete forgiveness of sin (1 John 1:9, Psalms 103:12, Micah
7:18, and Isa 1:18). Writing to the Ephesian believers, Paul clarifies, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7). In the cross and faith in Christ, there is forgiveness, not condemnation.
Christ
specifically explained He came not to abolish the law, but to complete and fulfill it: Think not that I am come to destroy the law,
or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle
shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (Matthew 5:17-18). Christ came to fulfill and complete the righteousness
of the law, and because He fulfilled the obedience, sinlessness, and righteousness required under the Jewish law, all of those who
believe in Christ no longer fall under condemnation.
The ministries of Jesus Christ also made the righteousnes of God available
apart from the law, the righteousness which is by faith in Jesus Christ, to both the Jew and Gentile, that is, to all. Because of
our faith in the shedding of His blood, Christ was and is also our propitiating atonement for sin, as well the justifier of those
who believe in Him. Paul wrote the church in Rome, now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by
the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:
for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation [Greek, hilasterion, an expiatory place or thing,
make reconciliation for, or to be an atoning victim] through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission [Greek, paresis,
pratermission, to own or possess, or toleration] of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this
time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier [Greek, dikaioo, to render or regard as just or innocent] of him
which believeth in Jesus (Romans 3:21-26).
Paul also explained to the church in Corinth, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he
is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us
to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world
unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors
for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him [Christ] to
be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). According to Paul,
because God made Christ to be sin for us, the believer is not condemned, but has been reconciled to God - all things are now new,
and of God.
Paul also wrote those in Rome that believers who have been baptised unto death to self have been resurrected to a
new life: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of
the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we
shall be also iin the likensss of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might
be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve [Greek, douleuo, to be a slave to, involuntarily or voluntarily, or be in bondage
to] sin (Romans 6:4-6).
Another accomplishment of the cross of Christ which relieves the believer of condemnation and death is
that the death of Christ overcame our death via His own resurrection – the believer has now obtained complete victory over physical
death. The believer has victory over death through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul explains, For this corruptible must put on
incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall
have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where
is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:53-57). Paul further explained this to the Galatian church
when he wrote them, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now
live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).
Also, within
another ministry of Christ, believers in Christ do not come under condemnation because when they came to a saving faith in Christ,
they instantly become adopted sons of God. Believers are not condemned. Paul wrote, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage
again to fear [the consequences of your sin, that is, death]; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The
Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs
with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together (Romans 8:15-17).
The believer in Christ
is also in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).
Jesus Christ provided the required wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption to each and every individual who believes
in Christ. Therefore, the believer in Christ is not subject to condemnation and physical and spiritual death, because he or she has
been made righteous, redeemed and sanctified. Christ became our wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
Another
accomplishment of Christ enduring the cross and death and resurrection is that the believer has been judged to be innocent of sin.
In the book of Acts, we see, by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law
of Moses (Acts 13:39). Christ explained to believers in Rome, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Romans
5:1-2). The believer is therefore innocent and justified, not condemned.
Again, because God has brought the believer unto salvation
through the offer of faith in Christ, the believer who accepts Christ is not condemned. Paul explained to the church in Ephesus, you
hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according
to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our
conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the
children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead
in sins, hath quickened [Greek, suzoopoieo, to reanimate conjointly, make alive] us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew
the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:1-8). Rather than being condemned to death, God has given us new life along
with Christ, has raised us up together with Christ, and made us to sit together in heavenly places with Christ. He has given us the
gift of eternal salvation, based upon His grace and kindness to us and not because of anything we have done. Writing to the church
in Rome, Paul adds, Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men,
for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death
reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of
him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more
the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that
sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification (Romans
5:12-16). Again, the death and resurrection of Christ resulted not in our judgment and condemnation, but in our justification and
righteousness.
The cross of Jesus Christ also restored our relationhip with God. As example, Paul wrote those in Rome, God commendeth
his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall
be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were [not condemned but] reconciled to God by the death of his Son,
much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life (Romans 5:8-10). Clearly, we were not condemned, but reconciled to a personal
relationship to God the Father through the death and resurrection of His Son.
In his second epistle to the church in Corinth,
Paul comforted and encouraged the believers with these words: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things
are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ,
and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing
their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though
God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew
no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). God the Father made Christ to be sin in place
of our sin so that we could be made the righteousness of God through our faith in Christ.
Last of all, the apostle Paul wrote
the church in Colossae. In referring specifically to Jesus Christ, Paul explained, he is the head of the body, the church: who is
the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him
should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his [Christ's] cross, by him [Christ] to reconcile all things
unto himself [God the Father]; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated [Greek,apallotrioo, to estrange away, separated from, hostile to, or to be a non- participant with God] and enemies [Greek, echthros, to
hate, be odious, hostile towards, or to be a foe or adversary to] in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. In the
body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight (Colossians 1:18-22).
We
who now have faith in Christ, who were once alienated from God and enemies of God, God reconciled us to Himself through the death
of Christ to present us holy and unblameable, and unreproveable in the sight of God the Father. Iin our subject verses, the mighty
aposle Paul simplified God's love for us with these simple words: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.
God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law
might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Paul clarifies for us the wonderful fruit of the believer's
restoration and reconciliation to God: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if
children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together (Romans
8:16-17). The ministries of Jesus Christ not only made the believer in Christ children of God, but heirs of God, and joint heirs with
Christ. AMEN!
THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
A
Judeo-Christian Bible Study
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for
sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are
mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness
of the righteous from him! Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be
as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word
of the Holy One of Israel"
(Isaiah 5:20-24).
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the
LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to
pass”
(Psalms 37:3-5).
"Have mercy upon
me, O LORD;
consider my trouble which I suffer of
them that hate me, thou that liftest
me up from the
gates of death:
That I may shew forth
all thy praise in
the gates of the daughter of Zion: I
will rejoice in thy salvation”
(Psalms 9:13-14).
"Forasmuch as ye
know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received
by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was
foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that
raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying
the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being
born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is
as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word
of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached
unto you”
(1 Peter 1:18-25).
