"There is therefore 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. 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." (Romans 8:1-4)
"But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption, that. according as it is written, he that glories let him glory in the Lord." (I Corinthians 1:30)
Paul clearly makes a distinction here, in that condemnation ends when we are in Christ Jesus. Indeed, Paul reiterates the key to that place of redemption repeatedly -- "but of Him are ye in Christ Jesus" and "for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
We must be in Christ Jesus.
We must be abiding in the doctrine of Christ. (II John 1:9)
"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." (II Corinthians 5:21)
"... and 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)
Thus, when we come to Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and we are baptized in His precious, holy name -- the name of Jesus (as Peter standing with the eleven commanded on the day of Pentecost), He clothes us in His righteousness. He puts His cloak -- His garment of righteousness over us, and His Spirit dwells within. We begin to walk in the newness of life -- wherein all things become new.
Thus, when we come to Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and we are baptized in His precious, holy name -- the name of Jesus (as Peter standing with the eleven commanded on the day of Pentecost), He clothes us in His righteousness. He puts His cloak -- His garment of righteousness over us, and His Spirit dwells within. We begin to walk in the newness of life -- wherein all things become new.
The promise? "And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost!" (Acts 2:26-41)
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (II Corinthians 5:17)
"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." (Romans 6:4)
We have been given a unique opportunity to walk in the newness of life because God willingly decided to prepare for Himself a body, and to shed His precious holy blood on a cross for you and I. (Acts 20:28)
But again, note the caveat -- it is believing that this same Lord Jesus whom we all have crucified in our heart prior to coming to Him is indeed the Lord of glory. Believing that He is God manifest in the flesh. Believing that He would love us so much -- beyond any measure -- to redeem us from our sins.
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life (for the life was manifested and we have seen [it], and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested unto us;) that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you ..." (II John 1:1-3)
Before the cross, Jesus said to those Jews who believed on Him -- "If ye continue in My Word,, [then] are ye My disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32; Romans 8:2; James 2:12)
Like Abraham on the old testament side, when he believed God, his faith was imputed unto him for righteousness; and he was called the Friend of God. (James 2:23; Genesis 15:6; II Chronicles 20:7)
We are saved because the same Spirit of the Lord God that moved upon the waters in the very beginning cared enough about you and I to execute His plan of salvation which happened when He declared, "This day have I begotten Thee!" This day, will I usher in the new testament wherein Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle ... by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:8; Hebrews 9:11-12; Hebrews 9:14-18)
Does this mean that we are sinless? According to I John 1:8-10, the answer is no. But what it does mean is that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9; Psalm 32:5)
"... but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13)
But as we also know, "the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (I Corinthians 2:14)
There is so much more here to learn about His grace, and being set free because of a love so great that God Himself would come forth as a mighty man so that we might have life. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 1:35)
"But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law -- to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons,, God hath set forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, "Abba, Father." Wherefore thou art no more a servant,, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ," (Galatians 4:1-7)
Let's not return to the beggarly elements which only put us in bondage but instead, zealously seek Jesus as both Lord and Christ in our hearts, and pick up our cross and follow Hi, He is the Author of life. He is the Light which shines brighter than the noon day sun. And He has a plan and purpose for your life that surpasses all human understanding.
Stand in the offering plate.
But again, note the caveat -- it is believing that this same Lord Jesus whom we all have crucified in our heart prior to coming to Him is indeed the Lord of glory. Believing that He is God manifest in the flesh. Believing that He would love us so much -- beyond any measure -- to redeem us from our sins.
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life (for the life was manifested and we have seen [it], and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested unto us;) that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you ..." (II John 1:1-3)
Before the cross, Jesus said to those Jews who believed on Him -- "If ye continue in My Word,, [then] are ye My disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32; Romans 8:2; James 2:12)
Like Abraham on the old testament side, when he believed God, his faith was imputed unto him for righteousness; and he was called the Friend of God. (James 2:23; Genesis 15:6; II Chronicles 20:7)
We are saved because the same Spirit of the Lord God that moved upon the waters in the very beginning cared enough about you and I to execute His plan of salvation which happened when He declared, "This day have I begotten Thee!" This day, will I usher in the new testament wherein Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle ... by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:8; Hebrews 9:11-12; Hebrews 9:14-18)
Does this mean that we are sinless? According to I John 1:8-10, the answer is no. But what it does mean is that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9; Psalm 32:5)
"... but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13)
But as we also know, "the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (I Corinthians 2:14)
There is so much more here to learn about His grace, and being set free because of a love so great that God Himself would come forth as a mighty man so that we might have life. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 1:35)
"But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law -- to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons,, God hath set forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, "Abba, Father." Wherefore thou art no more a servant,, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ," (Galatians 4:1-7)
Let's not return to the beggarly elements which only put us in bondage but instead, zealously seek Jesus as both Lord and Christ in our hearts, and pick up our cross and follow Hi, He is the Author of life. He is the Light which shines brighter than the noon day sun. And He has a plan and purpose for your life that surpasses all human understanding.
Stand in the offering plate.
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