Wednesday 31 March, 2021

8 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[a] free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.[c] 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. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

No condemnation – wow.  In a world where cancel culture runs rife, where condemnation is common – where intolerance seems almost a national sport – under the guise of tolerance (I know that seems silly but our culture has largely redefined tolerance to mean agreement yet you don’t need to tolerate someone you are in agreement with – tolerance is based in respectful disagreement) – no condemnation – seems almost utopian!

Yet Paul makes this bold, outrageous claim!

No accusing voice – no place for accusation – for those in Christ.  Those in Christ stand in His righteousness not some mustered up goodness that we hope will pacify an angry God – nothing based on our best or worst effort, indeed on any effort of ours – but based on Christ and His perfect sacrifice and life!

Accusation – condemnation comes to nought and therefore I am free – free to live for Christ, free to honour Him, free to serve Him.

No condemnation – I’ll take that and live in its freedom to the honour of my King the One who sets me free – Jesus.

Father, help me to live in the liberty of no condemnation – free to honour and serve Jesus in all I am and do!

Written by Ps. Richard Botta