A Thought For Your Christian Journey:

Carnal Condemnation

Romans 8.1-14

Romans 8:1-14 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. ³ 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: ⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ¹⁰ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. ¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. ¹³ For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. ¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

How does condemnation work in the lives of born again Christians?  How can one who has been set free of the curse of the law ever feel condemned for their transgressions?  How can one who has had the blood of Jesus Christ laid to their account, and who having been cleansed and purified by that precious blood ever be condemned again?  Yet, we the children of God wrestle with our guilt and unworthiness daily.  We memorize the promises of God, we understand the things revealed in the Word of God; but we find that it is just incredibly difficult to apply those promises to our own account.  We find it easy to apply the cleansing and liberation of Christ to others, but we just cannot allow the free gift to be applied to ourselves.  We just feel that we MUST pay the penalty our selves.

It is hard to describe why this is the case.  Perhaps our adversary has just well trained us, through the years of our subjection to him, that there is no other way to find personal reconciliation; and certainly Satan wants us to believe that.  Maybe it comes in part from our world, where consequences are the natural and unavoidable result of our choices; whether they are rewards or justice.  Our flesh may also contribute to our sense of guilt and justice as well.  Yet, according to Romans 8 we have been liberated from all possible condemnation and with that condemnation our guilt is relieved as well.  But how can this be?  And how can it actually be realized in our Christian lives?

It is only possible through the propitiation paid by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is not so much that you are getting away with your sin, it is that Jesus took the punishment of your sin for you and paid the price in full.  So justice has not been forgone, instead it has been met to the uttermost.  Jesus indeed has paid it all, and peace and joy is the only possible result.

The only way a real release from your guilt and condemnation can ever be realized and experienced in your life personally is for you to learn to live in the Spirit of God.  Paul tells us to:

• Live after the spirit (vs 4)

• Mind the things of the Spirit (vs 5)

• Be Spiritually minded (vs 6)

• Be in the Spirit (vs 9)

• To find life in the Spirit (vs 10)

• Be led by the Spirit (vs 14)

It is in the fulfilling Spirit of God that you and I will find the full release we really need from your condemnation.  It is in that release that we will finally begin to experience the fullness of life that God intended for us (John 10.10).  It is in the presence of the Spirit of God that we do not sense that we got away with our sin, but we come to understand how great a price Jesus paid for us; and when that is finally realized everything in our lives changes.  Sin become more vulgar.  Thanksgiving and praise become more natural and animated.  Worship begins to focus on our Lord Jesus Christ, rather than on ourselves.  Life becomes divine and wonderful.

Will you cleave to your flesh, our world, and your guilt?  Or will you walk in the Spirit of God and know the fullness of your liberation through our Lord Jesus Christ?

Published August1, 2006

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