Romans 8:1 - 2
1 Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death
Good morning dearly beloved
To understand these verses we would need to read the fullness of the verses following, but let us just dive in a bit.
Where does condemnation come from? It is not of God
Conviction is very different from condemnation. Condemnation means there is no hope of recovering from our mistakes. No hope of being able to live in the love of God. But conviction is the opposite. Conviction comes from a loving Father who wants what’s best for us and who is reminding us of the life he wants us to live. Conviction of the Holy Spirit helps us to confidently turn to God to ask for help with our shortcomings knowing we will receive grace and cleansing, not condemnation and rejection
Because of this, the feelings of conviction should no longer leave us a broken mess. Instead, they should be viewed as a reminder of the hopeful transforming power of God and His Holy Spirit living and working within us. We can now go to the throne of God, not in fear of a death sentence, but in hopeful anticipation of how God will work in our lives to mold us more in his image.
This is of great importance though we must be careful not to open ourselves to the voice of the enemy's condemnation by walking in the Spirit and walking with repentant hearts.
Knowing that God is quick to receive us once we confess our sins.
Now I want to speak to you about a bigger deeper issue though - Many of us are brought up with harsh parenting, so our view of God as Father is like this - we believe God is standing with a big "whip" ready to punish us for every mistake or fault. So instead of running and cleaving to God we remain in the outer courts, trying, trying, to do right, to be good enough for God.
Our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
I pray today that we will understand the love and ACCEPTANCE God has for us.
Until we accept ourselves (as we discover God's acceptance) we cannot accept others.
Ever visit some Christian places or deal with some believers and you get the feeling of being "under a microscope" - they want to know what's wrong with you and not what's right. I tell you, they look and look and because they look with critical eyes - they will see much wrong with you and any "little" fault or imperfection - they hold on to it "forever" and keep you in a place of condemnation.
This is not of God. Do not allow this kind of influence to affect you deeply.
God accepts you the way you are, but does the deep work to change you to reflect Christlikeness - just surrender. Let God!
Those connected to this ministry stay planted as they say it is a place where they feel loved and accepted (rebuked and corrected - yes) but loved and accepted.
I pray that God will deliver you today of every condemnation and fear (even of losing his love). May God perfect you in his love and cause you to come into a deeper revelation of his Agape unconditional love which encompasses compassion, forgiveness, grace, mercy and acceptance
You are no longer an orphan - you are loved and accepted by a Good Father. Don't stay in the outskirts anymore. Run to God, cleave to him and there you will find all you need - especially love and acceptance
Amen
Walk good in Christ
Till we meet again
Pastor J
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