NOW - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus

February 11, 2013 - Romans 8:1-6

8:1		如 今 那 些 在 基 督 耶 穌 裡 的 、 就 不 定 罪 了 。
8:2		因 為 賜 生 命 聖 靈 的 律 、 在 基 督 耶 穌 裡 釋 放 了 我 、 使 我 脫 離 罪 和 死 的 律 了 。
8:3		律 法 既 因 肉 體 軟 弱 、 有 所 不 能 行 的 、 　 神 就 差 遣 自 己 的 兒 子 、 成 為 罪 身 的 形 狀 、 作 了 贖 罪 祭 、 在 肉 體 中 定 了 罪 案 ．
8:4		使 律 法 的 義 、 成 就 在 我 們 這 不 隨 從 肉 體 、 只 隨 從 聖 靈 的 人 身 上 。
8:5		因 為 隨 從 肉 體 的 人 、 體 貼 肉 體 的 事 ． 隨 從 聖 靈 的 人 、 體 貼 聖 靈 的 事 。
8:6		體 貼 肉 體 的 就 是 死 ． 體 貼 聖 靈 的 乃 是 生 命 平 安 ．

 ¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

   ⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 

Life is full of frustrations and regrets even in many believers' lives as we have made numerous mistakes and ignorance before but Paul proclaims that there is NOW NO CONDEMNATION for believers who are in Christ Jesus. God intends us to live a life with blessings and without condemnation as Jesus Christ had become our sin offering that we had wholly satisfied the requirement of the law in our flesh and at the same time condemned sin in the flesh. Sin causes condemnation and death but now the Holy Spirit gives us life and frees us from the law of sin and death through the cross of Jesus Christ. Life contrasts condemnation. Believers now can live in Life but NOT Condemnation. Paul goes on to elaborate how a Spirit-filled life is like - the mind of a believer is in line with what the Spirit desires - that continues to give life and peace in our lives. 

Good morning, Holy Spirit! Please continue to sanctify my mind that I think, I feel, and I act according to what You desire. The law of sin and death tempts me to live again in condemnation  - being in bondage of my old self and my default behavior. Help me to live in the truth that I am in Christ NOW - no more condemnation. I am valued by God who loves me without any preset conditions that are based on my achievement, my perfection, my evaluation by others, etc. This is the most foundational truth of my relationship with God. Holy Spirit, You are my source of power that liberates me from the law of sin and death since You indwelt in my inner soul. Living in Your Presence and Power is the desire and realized truth of my relationship with God that I can have real peace and life always.