Overcome By Grace

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. — Romans 8:1 “No condemnation.” What life-giving words to us. Right up front it tells us that we were under condemnation at one point, but now, there is no condemnation for us. Not one single ounce of it remains for us. There is no caveat to this news. But the question remains, how did we get here? How are we now under no condemnation?  The key lies in the words, “in Christ Jesus”. As with many questions we have, much more this one, the answer is Christ. Probably most importantly this one. For without Christ we stand condemned.  Before Christ we all served the law of sin. Our desire was for sin and we hated God with all our being (Romans 8:7). We were ruled by our flesh and our desire was for our own pleasure. The message of the Cross that is found in Scripture was foolishness to us as Paul says in another place (1 Corinthians 1:18).  Condemnation What is this condemnation w...

I’ve been reading through Psalm 119 over the past few weeks. A couple verses that have been stuck on my mind a lot and have been drawing me back again and again are these: Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. Psalm 119:67, 71 So often I become complacent. I’ve found that when life is easy and going smoothly, I forget God’s Word so easily. “I don’t need God right now. I’ve got this handled.” How foolish. It is at that moment that I most need God. It is at that moment that sin is at the door, ready to come in and wreak havoc. I’ve already lost the battle against sin before it even happens. And yet complacency occurs again and again. So God, in His kindness, afflicts me. It is not an affliction that is fueled by His wrath. I’ve heard it well said before that if you face no temptations and trials in your life, be fearful. It very well may be that you are not Christ’s...