No Condemnation
Date: July 6, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B - Bible Verse: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)
L - Listen for God's Word and pray: "Dear God, as I come before You, open my heart to hear Your Word and understand the depth of Your love and grace. Help me grasp the truth that in Christ, there is no condemnation. Fill me with Your peace and assurance. In Jesus' name, amen."
E - Explore the History and Meaning: The apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans as a letter to the believers in Rome. In this verse, Paul highlights the incredible truth that in Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation. He emphasizes the transformation that occurs when a person is united with Christ through faith. What a powerful reminder of God's immense love and grace toward those who are in Christ Jesus! It assures believers that through their faith in Jesus, they are set free from the guilt and criticism of sin. They are no longer held captive by their past mistakes or failures, but instead, they are embraced by God's unending love and acceptance.
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases:
No condemnation: This phrase carries the incredible truth that believers in Christ are not under God's judgment or punishment for their sins.
In Christ Jesus: It is through our faith and union with Jesus that we experience freedom from being condemned and receive the gift of salvation.
S - Summarize and Share:
Can we just take a moment to soak in the incredible truth of this scripture today? "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Just let that sink in.
There are so many times that we can get caught up in feelings of guilt, shame, and unworthiness because of our past mistakes or the weight of our sins. But here's the mind-blowing news: when we put our trust in Jesus, when we're in Him, there's absolutely no condemnation, no disapproval, no blame, no criticism. None at all!
Think about it – God, in His crazy love and grace, sees us through the lens of what Jesus has done for us. He doesn't hold our past against us. Instead, He sees us as forgiven, redeemed, and fully accepted. There's no need to carry the heavy burden of guilt or fear of punishment. It's been washed away by Jesus' sacrifice.
Isn't that liberating? It means we don't have to strive for perfection or live in constant fear of judgment. We can walk in the freedom and peace that comes from knowing we're loved and accepted by our Heavenly Father.
So, my friend, let's embrace this truth and let it shape our lives. And when those sneaky thoughts of condemnation try to creep in, let's shut them down with Romans 8:1 – "There's no condemnation for me because I'm in Christ Jesus!"
Let's live in the freedom and peace that comes from knowing we're loved, forgiven, and accepted. And as we experience this amazing grace, let's extend it to others too. Let's be quick to forgive, quick to show love, and quick to share this life-transforming truth with those around us.
You're not condemned. You're loved, cherished, and accepted by the Creator of the universe. So, let's live in the joy of this truth and let it overflow in our relationships and interactions with others.
4 Bible Cross References:
John 3:17 - "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
Romans 8:39 - "neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Ephesians 1:7 - "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace."
Colossians 1:22 - "But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation."