LEARNING DAILY

Roman 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

That is the Good News – no, the best news ever! As a Believer, there is no condemnation. None. Zero. That should give comfort to every Believer. You have been saved from eternal separation from God. This is a powerful message about the Holy Spirit transforming the Believer’s life because of grace given by Jesus Christ. “For those who are in Christ Jesus” there is complete forgiveness and pardon from their past sins; they are seen as righteous. That also means their present and future sins are forgiven as well. As has been written before that does not give anyone a license to do whatever he/she wants. It means when a Believer falls or sins he/she can go to Him, ask for forgiveness, and know He is faithful to forgive (1John 1:9). This is a matter of restoring fellowship with the Lord. “Through Jesus Christ the Believer has been set free from the law of sin and death” (verse 2).

This world we live in is full of life pressures (to be perfect), guilt, and shame; this is a message of hope and freedom. The pastors I listen to are constantly saying [Believers] are not defined by their past. Why? Because of their new identity in Jesus Christ. This passage (read down through verse 11) is an encouragement to live by the Holy Spirit’s leading, to walk a narrow way that leads to a life of peace and strength in Jesus Christ. He gives new purpose to your life as He changes your thoughts, attitudes, and lifestyle.

The New King James Version adds to verse one, “who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” This is walking the narrow way which shows evidence that one has been changed because of following the leading of the Holy Spirit. That means one who has been saved by Jesus Christ acts like it, talks like Him, and treats others as He wants you to. Living according to the Holy Spirit means setting one’s mind on the things of God instead of things of the flesh. It is doing everything possible to make sure thoughts, attitudes, and what is done aligns with guidance and principles of God’s Word. The Holy Spirit lives within each Believer to help them in this.

One caution. Do not try to live a godly life in your own strength. It is the power of the Holy Spirit living within you that transforms you from within. There were fleshly things that God took away from me when I was saved; there were other things that took years to give up. There is still “stuff” He is working on in me. It takes daily surrender of my will and to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

 Are you willing to be obedient to God’s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit? The changes that happen when the Believer is willing to be obedient will bring you closer in your relationship to the Lord and you will experience the abundant life Jesus promised to those who walk with Him and according to the Holy Spirit.