Christ Suffered and Died . . .
To Take Away Our Condemnation
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—
more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand
of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Romans 8:34
The great conclusion to the suffering and death of Christ is this: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
To be “in Christ” means to be in relationship with Jesus by faith. Faith in Christ unites us to Christ so that His death becomes our death and His perfection becomes our perfection. Christ becomes our punishment (which we don’t have to bear) and our perfection (which we cannot perform).
“We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified” (Galatians 2:16).
The death of Christ secures our freedom from condemnation.There is no double jeopardy in God’s court. We will not be condemned twice for the same offenses. Christ has died once for our sins. We will not be condemned for them. Condemnation is gone, not because there isn't any, but because it has already happened (Christ has already taken it on Himself at the cross).
“Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies” (Romans 8:33).
It’s the same as when the Bible asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (Romans 8:35). The answer is that “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us .” (Romans 8:37).
We know that the highest court has already ruled in our favor. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
If people in the world reject us, He accepts us. If they hate us, He loves us. If they imprison us, He sets our spirits free. If they afflict us, He refines us by the fire. If they kill us, He makes it a passage to paradise. They cannot defeat us. Christ has died. Christ is risen. We are alive in Him. And in Him, there is no condemnation. We are forgiven, and we are righteous.
“And the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1).
Lets pray:
"Dear Father, thank you that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Thank You for Jesus who has borne my punishment. I am now free from condemnation. I live in the 'right-standing' with You both now and forever. Thank You for this amazing grace to me. In Jesus Name, Amen."
Lets worship: with the song 'Trading my sorrows' by Women of Faith
The so-far mentioned reasons for why Christ suffered and died can be followed at http://knowing-christ.
10) To provide the basis for our justification
9) For the forgiveness of our sin
8) To become a ransom for many
7) To cancel the legal demands of the law against us
6) To show His own love for us
5) To show Grace for sinners
4) To achieve His own resurrection from the dead
3) To learn obedience and be perfected
2) To please His own Heavenly Father
1) To absorb the wrath of God
Be blessed,
Meghna and Ashish
(inspired by 'Fifty reasons why He came to die' by author John Piper)
No comments:
Post a Comment