I enjoy occasionally watching courtroom dramas on TV, whether it is a fictional series or an actual court case that has been allowed to be televised. There is always one dramatic point, and that is when the verdict comes in. The defendant will stand and they will find out whether they have been acquitted or found guilty, whether they are now free or condemned. The condemned one finds out what his sentence will be as condemnation is proclaimed. However, what if something very surprising and shocking happened, that the judge set the guilty one free since his own son was going to take the punishment, and that the guilty received no condemnation? We would say that was preposterous and would never happen! It did happen, it happened for each one who has accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior, which we will read about in today’s Scripture.
As we begin our study of this passage from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, we read about a struggle that anyone who has been a Christian for any length of time deals with, and that is the struggle between our old nature and our renewed, new nature (vs. 21-25). Our old nature, our “flesh nature”, still desires to do the ungodly things that we used to partake in before we gave our lives to Jesus. Our new nature, on the other hand, desires to follow the Lord and His Word. These two natures battle inside of us, just like a game of tug-of-war, each one trying to pull us in their direction.
As Paul describes, the principle or law of sin is still active in the believer. Whenever he desires to do good, evil is still present. Even though we are genuinely saved, the sin nature still remains and resists holiness. Our new nature, renewed by the Holy Spirit, loves righteousness, and longs to obey God. But the old nature, following the law of sin, fights against this, trying to drag us back towards sin. This is the believer’s ongoing battle, where the flesh and Spirit oppose each other (Galatians 5:17).
Paul saw this happening over and over again, and it was discouraging. He cried out for help in this inward battle of tug-of-war (vs. 24). This was not a cry of despair, but of longing for final victory, as he knew Who could deliver him. Paul knew that Christ alone delivers from sin’s power and ultimate presence.
Before we accepted Jesus as our Savior, each one of us was on the side of evil, following what it dictated in our life. If our life remained unchanged, we would rightly be getting the sentence of eternal condemnation. Things are different for the believer and follower of Jesus. Though they had committed plenty of sins before being born again, some of them possibly quite terrible, and still occasionally being pulled back into sin, they now, through the grace and mercy of the Lord taking upon Himself their sins, receive no condemnation (vs. 1).
The believer’s standing before God is completely transformed. They do not receive less condemnation, they receive none at all. Jesus bore the condemnation that we deserved, therefore God cannot condemn those united to His Son. We may have to suffer from some discipline for our sins, but we will not be eternally condemned.
Before salvation, sin and death once ruled in the believer’s life like an unbreakable law. But the Holy Spirit’s power is stronger, liberating the believer from sin’s power and control (vs. 2). The Law of Moses could teach, command, and reveal God’s holiness, but it could not empower obedience. God accomplished what the law could not by sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and condemning sin in the flesh. Because Jesus fulfilled the law, all believers who are walking in the Spirit, fulfill its righteous requirement.
When Jesus went to the cross on our behalf, He lifted the blame from our shoulders, and made us righteous before God (vs. 3-4). We do not need to feel any condemnation of sin. Those feelings do not belong. They come from Satan. Our sins are wiped clean, and we are chosen and loved by God. Condemnation is reserved for those who reject the Lord (John 3:36).
There are two ways for mankind to live (vs. 5-6). The unsaved have their mind set on sin and are hostile to God. This will lead to spiritual death. Believers who are walking with God and who have a Spirit-governed mind will find life and peace.
As we look back over this Scripture, we realize that the presence of sin, even in a believer’s life, is real and active. For victory over this ongoing condition, we must depend on the Holy Spirit, not our own self-effort. Human effort cannot produce holiness. Jesus Christ alone can deliver us from sin’s power. Genuine Christians can rest in their standing in Christ, as no condemnation means full acceptance and security. We are set free from ever being condemned for our sins.
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