No Condemnation

I was listening and enjoying this preacher talking about Christians being free from all judgment, and that we should not judge, but respect and tolerate each other in the faith when I heard a verse quotation from him that prompted another statement in my spirit. As soon as the preacher said, “that there was no condemnation for those who was in Christ Jesus,” and as he started expounding on the fact that we are not under the law but under grace, I heard these words in my spirit “for those who work not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” I startled and said to myself, “what?” I was not sure that I heard what I heard correctly, and even wonder if it was the product of my imagination. Since it was early morning and I was driving to work, I doubted that I even heard the statement, when the same voice repeated again, “for those who work not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

I knew then that it was the Holy Spirit Father talking to me and opening my mind to a new way of seeing this statement. I have heard this statement before, but was wondering why Father insisted that I pay attention to it. When I went home that evening, I took my Strong's Concordance and my bible to find out the exact location of the verse quoted by the pastor. The verses found in Romans 8 verses 1 to 4 go, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.”

While pondering on the subject, Father had me reread Hebrews chapters 3 and 4 where we are being warned against the sin of unbelief. Hebrews 3:12-14 state that we should be watchful not to turn away from the living God, that we should encourage one another daily to avoid being hardened by sin's deceitfulness, and that we should hold firm to the faith once delivered. Hebrews 4:1 warns against the possibility of falling short of entering the promise of rest in Jesus because of unbelief.

As I am reading all these verses, I can not but realize that only the Spirit of God in us can reveal the scriptures to us, open and renew our mind in order to allow us to understand the bible. Only the Spirit of God in us can make the bible so alive to us that we can really see what the Father is saying. I have met so many people that are very knowledgeable about the Word of God, but with whom I completely disagree with some aspect of their interpretation at times of scripture. I have others disagreeing also with me on the interpretation of scriptures.

I am so scared of being like legalistic and closed-minded people I meet at times who are strong teachers of the Word of God. Since I have never been in bible school, but love the thoughts that come in my mind whenever I read the bible and focus on certain concepts and contents of interest, how do I know that I am in step with and following the Spirit of God? How are other people getting their own interpretation of the bible verses, and why don't I agree sometimes with them? Is it I? Is it them? Shouldn't we let the bible interpret itself? Aren't we all supposed to be led by the same Spirit? Since there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who work according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh, shouldn't followers of Christ know how to walk in the Spirit and be confident that they are?

Ephesians chapters 4 and 5, Galatians 5:19 -20 list the acts of the sinful nature and the work of darkness to avoid in order to live in this life as children of light. The epistle of 1 Corinthians chapters 12, 13 describe the gifts of the Spirit to look for in a believer, and the types of work that characterize a follower of Christ, and state strongly that all things we do should be done in the spirit of love. Since the bible is written for the children of God and can only be understood when being led of the Spirit of God, do you know and can you tell that you are being led by the right Spirit?

We read in Romans 14 that people should be convinced in their minds about what they do, and that they will all give account of themselves to God. We also learn that all should strive for peace and mutual edification. Is your life reflecting a life under the leadership of the Holy Spirit of God? Do you live in such a way as not to quench or grieve the Spirit? Can others see the presence of Jesus in you? Do you know that there should be evidence in your life of the Spirit infilling as you produce the fruit of the Spirit characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

If you do not see yourself bearing the fruit of the Spirit, ask Father to help you walk closely with the Lord so you can produce the fruit of the Spirit that Father enjoys so much in His children. He promised to give wisdom lavishly to the ones asking for it (James 1:5). The fruit of the Spirit is the character of Jesus in you. It is Himself living and manifesting His likeness in and through you for the Father's glory. It is a daily choice we must make of allowing Him to change us. Since all born of the Spirit are being conformed to the image of Jesus and transformed from glory to glory, only you can allow Jesus to live His life through you fully. It is such a great privilege to want to be in Jesus and to stay connected with Father through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I believe that reading regularly the Word of God that teaches us about Jesus, knowing what He likes, learning His ways, praying, and doing what the bible commands followers of Christ to do are some ways of being led by the Spirit of God. I can assure you from my own walk that these daily choices will glorify and bring honor and praises to Jesus. You must learn to serve Him with all you might, mind, heart and soul. Moreover, as you analyze your motives for doing things, as you dedicate yourself daily to the Father and do all things in love, you will be confident that you are in Christ Jesus, led by the Spirit of God, and are under no condemnation.

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus 26 Apr '08