Set Free in Christ

Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Condemnation and Christian are not synonymous. Christ came to set men free from the law of sin and death. As we see in the previous verses (Rom 7:23-25), we have victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God condemned sin in the flesh by sending His Son to pay the penalty for sin through death. It was a once for all event that set men and women free from the need to be righteous by upholding the law. The law was never meant for us to use as a way to be righteous, rather, it shows us our unrighteousness and inability to be holy before the Father.

Many will try to keep the law and earn their way to heaven. But that becomes bondage to works and self righteousness. Paul teaches us that our performance is rubbish. (Phil 3:8-9) All of our accomplishments, all of our worldly desires, everything we do apart from Christ is simply garbage to God. Our righteousness can only be through faith in Christ Jesus.

Today I am reminded of the verse, "apart from Christ I can do nothing." (John 15:5) When I begin to think that I am accepted because of what I can do for God I fall back into the condemnation that holds me in bondage. Today I will strive to live in Christ and remember it is His work on the cross that set me free sin and death.

Praise be to God for providing a way to freedom and eternal life for all who believe.

Blessings....

Sovereignty Saturday: Is He Sovereign Over Death?

Is God sovereign over all things? Many people have a difficult time answering this question, me included. If He is sovereign over all things then we eventually come full circle to the question, "Is God sovereign over sin and death?"

Several years back my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. During the same time a close friend was diagnosed with cancer in his spine, stomach, and brain. While I was walking with my lovely bride through the effects of this horrible affliction, I was also walking by the side of my friend. Today, eleven years later, I celebrate with my wife the victory the Lord has given her over the cancer, and I still ponder over the death of my 28 year old friend.

He fought the battle of cancer for five months and as it would seem to many of us here on earth... he lost. The question arose often while many of us would gather around his bedside and pray and worship... "Is God listening to our prayers?" This young man knew the Lord, lived a clean life, and lived to glorify Him. So why did he die at such a young age of 28. His entire future was still before him. He was married and had great plans to serve God with his wife for 50 more years. He had it all going for him.

Let's take for a moment and suppose a thing or two. Suppose that my friend had lived. We would all praise God for Him being Sovereign over disease and healing him. Let's suppose that my friend was able to grow old with his wife and share his story with thousands how God saved him from the clutches of cancer. We would all join him in his victory. So why then do we often assume that because he died that God isn't just as involved?

God knew the Egyptians would die in the Red Sea. God understood that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah would turn away from Him and He would eventually wipe them out. God knew Moses was going to die in the wilderness. And Jesus even predicts and tells the apostles of His own death. Jesus tells us in Mat 10:29 that He even knows when a sparrow is going to fall to the ground. Not only does he know when we are to die, but He also has authority over death. Col 1:18 tells us the He is "firstborn" from the dead. The term here means that God has authority over it. He died on the cross and rose from the dead.

Mat 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.

Since He has broken the chains of death, we know that one day the scripture will come to pass that asks, "Oh death where is your sting?" (1Cor 15:55) We understand today that death has a sting. We experience it every time we go to a funeral. But there is hope that the victory and sting of death will be removed when we too are resurrected unto Him.

Daily In Christ - Sovereignty Saturday

If we believe that God is the giver of all good things, then do we assume that He is also Sovereign over death? Today I encourage you to search the scriptures and pray. Ask God to reveal His heart to you and help you see His hand working in all things.

Blessings to you as you draw close to Him,
Keith