“1Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. 2For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3For what the Law could not do [that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power] being weakened by the flesh [man’s nature without the Holy Spirit], God did: He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son], 4so that the [righteous and just] requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not live our lives in the ways of the flesh [guided by worldliness and our sinful nature], but [live our lives] in the ways of the Spirit [guided by His power]” Romans 8:1-4 AMP

One of the most reassuring facts about who we are in Christ is that we are forgiven! We have already discussed the fact that we are now free from the condemnation of our past sins. The Apostle Paul goes on to unpack that truth in these verses. Verse 2 tells us that there is a new law, the law of the Spirit which gives life. The Old law of the covenant brought a penalty of death for disobeying it. Where that requirement brought death, the new requirement is life! It is because Christ defeated sin and death that I can now experience the freedom I was created to enjoy. Verse 3 tells us that it was a weakness in our flesh that was the cause of my failures before God. It was empowered by the fact that I did not have the Holy Spirit and His power in my life to overcome sin. We are told that Christ took upon Himself the sin of all and subdued the power of sin and Satan! 

Verse 4 goes on to tells us that Christ’s sacrifice fulfilled the requirement of the old law thereby nullifying its requirement. It reminds us that we can now live according to the Spirit, not driven by our fleshly desires! We read in the book of Acts the words of the Apostle Paul about his call and mission.

“And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16Get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you [to serve] as a minister and as a witness [to testify, with authority,] not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you, 17[choosing you for Myself and] rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18to open their [spiritual] eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness and release from their sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified (set apart, made holy) by faith in Me” Acts 26:15-18

Do you see it? Verse 18 clearly states the purpose of the finished work of Christ “…that they may receive forgiveness and release from their sins.” One of the benefits of forgiveness is freedom! I no longer need to be plagued by my past and fear God’s judgement. The law of the Spirit means that I can come boldly before the throne of Grace! Does that mean that I am not remorseful for my past? Certainly not! It does mean however I do not have to carry the guilt allowing me to live a new life in Christ. 

Through the sacrifice of Christ God is calling us to a life free from the power of sin. That does not mean that sin will not be tempting me, it does mean that I now have the ability to resist through the Holy Spirit. That is my decision! Receiving and extending forgiveness is like cutting the cord on a boulder that is tied to my feet while I am sinking in a lake bitterness and hate! Jesus in teaching us to pray emphases the importance of forgiveness. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Let me encourage you today to walk in the Spirit not fulfilling the desires of the flesh and walk ing the love of His forgiveness! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken