Look at me now
Jan 30
Romans 8: 1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
There is so much here that speaks about my life in Christ. But let me list them quickly:
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I am not condemned
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I have been set free from the law of sin and death
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I fulfil the righteous requirements of the law fully
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I do not live according to the sinful nature
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I live according to the Spirit
All of this is because of what Christ did for me by “God … sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering”. So many chapters in Romans begin with therefore or since or something similar. One has to read the context of the previous chapter whenever there is a therefore.
So what? The so what is this – I must recognise who I am and how God sees me. When I do this, I can see God’s plan at work in my life. When I doubt, I must come back to the word of God, and not listen to man or circumstances. Seek first the kingdom of God. Do not worry about the rest. If you can get the seeking first part right, you need not worry about if the rest will follow.
A love relationship
Jan 30
Here are some more thoughts about my post of 26th Jan.
Reading What’s so amazing about grace really gets you thinking. Yancee paints grace with such broad and magnificent strokes that you realise that Good’s grace covers everything. Forgiveness is mine through grace. Righteousness is mine through grace. God’s continuous favour and peace is with me through grace.
So if God’s grace is so great, can it not lead us to then think more lightly about sinning since through grace God has shown he will forgive? Yancee answers it this way which I think is so clear. Our relationship with God should always be rooted in love. A real relationship with God, where yoiu have the Holy Spirit indwelling you, will be characterised by God’s love being shed abroad in our hearts. Now if you love someone, you dont set out to disappoint.
For example, you would not love your wife dearly, and then, knowing she loves you immeasurably, go out to have a couple of affairs knowingly, because at the end of it, you know she will forgive you. Love matters too much. So our liove for God will ensure that we do not take advantage of grace.
Pretty good thought I reckon.