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| Positive Words Newsletter | #80/ 18th May 2004 |
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He Freed Me From Condemnation
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus... For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:1-2 NKJV).
"No condemnation" is the glorious message of these verses. First note that I have omitted the phrase "who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit". The footnote or marginal notes in most Bibles will tell you this phrase does not appear in the critical Greek texts, and is thought to be transposed from verse 4. The phrase, as it stands in the KJV, NKJV and Amplified Bibles, qualifies the statement made in the first part of the verse. The "no condemnation" is made to appear as being applicable only to those walking according to the revelation of the Spirit. Omitting the phrase, the verse stands as an unqualified truth: the "no condemnation" is effective to all who are born again. As Kenneth Wuest rightly comments, "Paul does not base his assertion of no condemnation to the saint upon the saint's conduct, but upon his position in Christ".
What is meant by condemnation? The Greek word translated here as "condemnation" appears only three times in the Bible. In Romans 5:16,18 we read of condemnation being upon all men, whereas in Romans 8:1 the word is used with the unconditional negative to show freedom from condemnation to a specific group. Romans 5:l2-21 shows the contrast between Adam's sin and Christ's sacrifice, both of far-reaching effect upon mankind -- the former by nature and the latter by belief. The work of Christ took away condemnation for those who "receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness... by one, Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:17). The Greek word "katakrima" belongs to the family of words whose root is "krino", "to judge". The prefix "kata", "down", modifies the root meaning to indicate an adverse judgement; a sentence pronounced against the accused, the crime or punishment being implied. Condemnation is thus a suitable English word to convey the meaning of the original. The Amplified explains as "no adjudging guilty of wrong", one paraphrase uses "you won't be punished" and the Message Bible speaks of no longer having "to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud".
What does this mean to the believer? Let us examine Romans 8:1 further. "There is therefore now..." It is a present tense reality that all believers are free from condemnation. Notice the word "now" in the following passages: "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested..." (Romans 3:21). "Much more then, being now justified by his blood..." (Romans 5:9). "And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we also have now received the atonement [reconciliation]" (Romans 5:11). "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Romans 6:22). God's available blessing of sonship is in the "now", and its point of commencement is clearly stated in Romans 10:9. Remember, your freedom from condemnation is not conditional upon your walk, but upon the work of Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:2 gives the reason why the statement of verse 1 is true: "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." The word "law" can be translated "principle", and this may open your mind to further truth. The moment we believed Romans 10:9, the old laws of failure and defeat became ineffective because of the strength of the new law of spiritual life in Christ Jesus.The believer is free from the old principles of weakness, failure, and defeat, for he is now covered by the spiritual principle of life in Christ Jesus. The old had dominion over us, but now "sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace" (Romans 6:14).
The new "law of the Spirit of life" is stronger than the old "law of sin and death." With the coming of the greater the lesser terminates. For example, if I drop the pen I am holding, it will fall to the ground because of the principle or law of gravity. But if I place my other hand under the pen as it drops, the law of power and strength in my hand will make the principle or law of gravity ineffective and the pen will no longer fall to the ground. The Message Bible says, " 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."
However, no earthly illustration can depict the brilliance of the glorious freedom of the sons of God. It is no wonder that we read in Galatians the exhortation to "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage" (Galatians 5:1). Thank the Father now that there is "no condemnation" for you as a believer. -- Peter Wade
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Insights From Every Chapter Of The Bible
G. Campbell Morgan was a well-known preacher and writer of over 60 books from the first half of the 20th century. In each issue of this newsletter he gives a comment from one verse in every chapter of the Bible. We continue with Paul's first letter to the Corinthians.
"Called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (I Corinthians 1:9).
The purpose of saintship is fully described in these words. That is the meaning of the Church in any city. Its members are "called" and "saints," because they "call upon the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ," and so they are "called into the fellowship of His Son." This word "fellowship" is rich in suggestiveness. We touch its deepest note when we recognize its first meaning. The simple idea is that of having all things in common. It is the word which marks the most perfect realization of unity in every way: in possessions, in purpose, and in effort. Perhaps the ground may be covered by saying that it means that those who are in fellowship have resources and responsibilities in common.
Here, then, is the truth about the relationship existing between all Christian souls and the Lord. All His resources are at their disposal. All their resources are at His disposal. They are committed to His responsibilities. He is committed to their responsibilities. That covers the whole fact of Christian life and service. It is because of that we may truthfully sing -
I nothing lack if I am His,
And He is mine for ever.
The searching thought is that if there be any failure in this relationship of resource and responsibility, it is in us, and not in Him. Are our resources all at His disposal? Are we availing ourselves of His resources? Are we facing His responsibilities? Are we trusting Him to undertake our responsibilities? Thus may we question our souls when we are alone with the Lord.
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"IN CHRIST" QUOTE FOR TODAY
