Romans 8:1-8 (NRSV)
The Spirit is life and peace
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law - indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
DEVOTION
I truly believe that when human beings get a-hold of a right understanding of this scripture it sets them free!
Specifically, it is Romans 8:1 that sets my heart to singing. It reads, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Wow! Isn’t that wonderful GOOD NEWS?! There is now no condemnation...
So, why is it that when non-Christians think of Christ, Christians, or the church, they immediately conjure images of condemnation?
My non-Christian friends say things like, “I can’t go to church, I don’t have anything to wear. I can’t go to church, people will talk about me. I can’t go to church, those folks are too judgmental. I can’t go to church, I’ll never measure up!” And here’s the saddest one, “I promise I’ll go to church, as soon as I get my life together…”
In all of these statements, I hear my non-Christian friends shouting out their fear of condemnation from God, or from God’s people.
I will be condemned because I don’t have modest attire. I will be condemned because people know that I am a sinner. I will be condemned because I don’t know how to be a Christian. I will be condemned because I’m not ready to let go of all of my idols and/or addictions.
My! My! This breaks my heart to no end…Especially because I also hear the whispers of my non-Christian friends’ hearts.
Their hearts are saying, “If only someone would love me for what is on the inside and not just what is on the outside. If only someone would accept me, despite my many faults and failures. If only someone would welcome me, although I am an outcast and a stranger. If only I could be saved from this life of darkness, doom, gloom, and despair!”
Oh! Doesn’t this break your heart? As I am writing, tears are streaming down my face because it makes me so sad to think of people who 1) do not know how much God loves them and 2) have not been loved well by God’s people here on the Earth!
The sum of the law is this, “Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30-31)."
LOVE, my friends, is the greatest commandment. Yet, when our non-Christian friends think of the people in the church, they think “condemnation” rather than “love.”
Oh my! What terrible bad news! Jesus said, “He who is without sin, should cast the first stone (John 8:7)!” Who are we to stand in judgment of any human being? And yet we often do! Have mercy on us Jesus and please forgive us today!
Our judgmental spirits have barred the doors of the church to the very people who need You most. Our unwillingness to show unconditional love to all of Your children has poisoned the neighborhood well where people ought to be able to receive living water! Our self-righteous piety has been a terrible witness to those who need to know--and believe--that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God! There is none righteous, no not one!”
As Christians we have preached much Law, and very little Gospel! We have told our non-Christian friends all that they must do to be saved! But, we told a lie.
We told them that they would have to change the way they dress to be saved. Or amend the way they speak to be saved. Or alter their friendships and behaviors to be saved…
But, this is not Biblical my friends! The Bible says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, YOU ARE SAVED (Romans 10:9)!”
In my tradition we sing, “Just as I am without one plea, but that your blood was shed for me and that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.”
My friends, we must allow people to come to Jesus “just as they are,” with the expectation that GOD will not allow them to stay that way! As they experience the GOOD NEWS that God loves them so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save them from their sins and gift them with eternal life, they will be transformed! As mature Christians walk along side of them on the journey of life, they will learn new and holy ways of living in the Light of Jesus!
Sometimes, this transformation is instantaneous, but more often it is a slow and steady process of worship, Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.
But, who reading this blog today has already attained perfection? Not a one of us!
All of us are passionately pursuing perfection—day by day—and with the help of God!
This is the joy of the Gospel—or GOOD NEWS message—my friends!
It is GOD who does ALL OF THE WORK!
Yesterday, on Twitter, someone wrote, “The law is everything that God commands. The gospel is everything that God gives. God gives in the gospel everything God commands in the law (Johnny Helms).”
HALLELUJAH!!
GOD gives in the GOSPEL everything GOD commands in the law.
My friends, GOD loves. GOD gave. GOD saves. Salvation is entirely the work of God’s love for humanity!
If you are not a Christian, it is probably because you are under the mistaken notion that you need to do something to be saved. I want to apologize to you on behalf of all of us church folks who gave you that crazy idea.
You don’t have to do anything to be saved except put all of your hope in Jesus. You do this by saying with your mouth--and believing with all your heart--that God loves you, sent Jesus to die on the cross for you, and raised Jesus on the third day for you, all because God loves you so very much! When you put all of your hope in Jesus, you are saved!
Beloved, you are loved. You are accepted. You are welcomed. You are forgiven. You are saved!
Today, I want to welcome you into the family of God! Won’t you come in? God is waiting for you—RIGHT NOW—with outstretched arms. Just walk into the bear hug of Jesus!
Please pray with me…
Dear Lord, here I am! I come to you because I know you understand. I’ve tried so hard but I can’t change myself, that’s why I know I need your help…So here I am. You are my only hope. I know you love me. You proved it when you gave Jesus to die on the cross and resurrected him on the third day. Your love is so wonderful and Your grace is amazing! Please forgive me of my sin and fill my heart with your Holy Spirit. I want to become more like Jesus, day by day. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! I would be so honored if you would let me know about your decision by clicking “Yes” in the poll located at the top/right of today’s devotional! I am so happy for you! Happy Spiritual Re-Birth-Day!
Next steps: In response to what God did for you just now, let me suggest that you consider telling another Christian so that they can celebrate with you! Ask them to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand so that you can learn more about your new-found faith! Ask them to help you find a good Bible believing church where you can make new friends who will walk with you on your new journey! You are already saved; now let God mature you by faith! Congratulations!
PLEASE CONSIDER FORWARDING TODAY’S DEVOTION TO ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE NOT YET PUT ALL OF THEIR HOPE IN JESUS!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to the people who have recently put all of their hope in Jesus! We celebrate your re-birth-day and promise to hold you in our prayers!
If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right!
Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
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