No Condemnation – But Wait

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

I sat with a young man last week who had made some serious bad choices that resulted in the potential of his whole world being turned upside down. He had to go an attorney who happens to be a Christian and the attorney reminded my friend that he needs to remember that in Christ there is no condemnation.

Positionally speaking, this attorney is absolutely correct. If we are in Christ we no longer need to fear condemnation. BUT I believe there is another side of this that we need to look very carefully.

I know that this is so true in my own life – I blow it – I make mistakes – I fail. For some of us who have grown up in legalistic backgrounds we have wallowed in the pit of despair when we mess up. For some it has crippled them severely.

Yes, there is grace. Yes there is God’s mercy. Yes there is forgiveness.

So what’s the but? I speak from experience when I tell you that the enemy knows Scripture and can certainly use it to twist our thinking to lead us further into our sin if we are not careful.

Maybe you have been there too – you blow it, repent and confess your sin, pick yourself up and move forward. Somewhere out of nowhere comes that thought that is planted in your mind. “Well, I made it through this one.  The repercussions weren’t as bad as I thought.”

The temptation to sin comes again and probably even stronger – sin is crouching at the door. The trap is set. You take the bait and this time you find yourself going to the next level, reminding yourself of God’s mercy, grace, forgiveness and no condemnation.

Grace junkies we need to be reminded that before Romans 8:1 there is Romans 6:1 & 2 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who have died to sin still live in it?

Remember what Dr. John C. Maxwell said years ago: “Sin will always take you further than you want to go; it will keep you longer than you want to stay; it will cost you more than you are willing to pay.”

God hasn’t changed his position on sin. Neither should we. That’s why it is important to keep your heart grounded in the Word on a daily basis. Lord, help me to keep Your perspective on sin and stop listening to the enemy. Help me today to make right choices.

How you found this truth to be true in your life? I’d like to hear from you.

Running the race with joy,

Bill Welte
President/CEO America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 33-35; Romans 11:19-36

Quote of the day:  The person without self-control is easy prey to the invader. He yields himself to the first assault of his ungoverned passions, offering no resistance… Having no discipline over himself, temptation becomes the occasion of sin, and hurries him on to fearful lengths that he had not contemplated. Charles Bridges

Bible Memory: “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. Psalm 119:9