From Dream to Deliverance
Thursday, September 9, 2004
My Prayer Today
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to take away my shame upon the cross. I know that I have sinned before You, but I praise You for not condemning me in my sin. Instead, You have given me grace and mercy so that I might live the victorious life that You have called me to live. I am no longer a slave to sin, but a slave to righteousness through the power of Your Holy Spirit. I ask that You would help me to live in that reality today. In Jesus' name. . . Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Romans 7:21-8:4
7:21 "It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God's law with all my heart. 23 But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will set me free from this life that is dominated by sin? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ out Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin."
8:1 "So now there is now no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature. But God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful. God destroyed sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the requirement of the law would be fully accomplished for us who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit."
Reflecting on God’s Word
According to Romans 8:1, what is the result of those who belong to Christ Jesus?
Why are Christians "not condemned?"
What does it mean that those who are in Christ are not condemned? From what?
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
Read Romans 6:5-11 and explain why we are no longer "slaves" to sin but "set free."
Read Romans 6:14 and explain how we are set free.
Understanding God’s Word
Does there appear to be any contrast between Paul's experience in chapter 7:21-24 versus chapter 8:1-4?
Which chapter should be "normative" for the Christian life? Why?
What does it mean "to belong to Christ Jesus?"
Applying God’s Word to Our Lives
Do you feel condemned when you commit sin? If so, how?
If we keep on sinning as Christians, are we making "cheap" the grace of God? How?
If we belong to Jesus, should we be in bondage to addiction and sin? Why?
Thoughts...
Imagine yourself standing before a jury in a courtroom and waiting for the pronouncement of judgment as to whether or not you were guilty of a terrible crime. In your mind you knew that you were guilty of this crime, and fear gripped you as you pondered the likelihood that the court could issue the "death penalty." Then, to your own surprise, a pronouncement was made "not guilty." What an incredible relief! Yet deep in your heart you knew that you committed the crime? It would most undoubtedly be an awkward moment, yet still a great moment of incredible mercy. The truth is that all of us stand before God condemned of sin, yet through Jesus Christ (our perfect "defense attorney"), we are set free from the condemnation that our crime of sin deserves.
The apostle Paul says in Romans 8:1,"there is therefore now no condemnation in Christ Jesus." If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we do not stand before God guilty, because Jesus has already taken our guilt away. Because Jesus has done this great work for us, we can rest upon His grace and mercy for the rest of our lives. It is not that we can continue on sinning, as that would make "cheap" His grace, but we are to live lives that are free from the bondages of sin. Are you struggling with addiction and shame? Jesus has taken upon Himself the "death penalty" for us so that we might be free. Jesus did on the cross what we could not do by ourselves. He because the perfect sacrifice before God to make perfect atonement for our sin. If you are feeling guilty and shameful for past wrongs, God says to you, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." The normal Christian life is that of one who delights in the grace of God and walks in victory and freedom instead of defeat through the sinful nature. In Jesus' name, walk in this truth!