Monday, March 1, 2021

Our Inheritance in Christ: the gift of no condemnation

 


 to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:18 MEV

 In our last study, we saw the good news that those of us in Christ have an inheritance. It seemed good to continue looking at our inheritance in Christ. Knowing who we are and what we have in Christ brings great comfort, and enables us to walk in triumphant victory in our daily lives.

 Did you know one of the greatest benefits we have in Christ is the great gift of no condemnation? Condemnation is an insidious lie of the enemy. It's the enemy pronouncing a damnatory verdict over your life. God is not judging you, child of God, it's the enemy lying to you attempting to get you to withdrawal from fellowship with God. To get you back to a performance-driven faith, and often to ultimately get you to go back to your old way of living, trying to ensnare you in a cycle of guilt and shame. 

 That is the enemy's scheme but God is greater and His amazing Grace has completely defeated the enemy! The Word declares God was in Christ annihilating the schemes, plans, and works of the devil. God's overcoming Grace, the power of the Holy Spirit within, and God's amazing Love empower us to daily demonstrate this destruction of the enemy! 

 I get so happy, excited, ecstatic, and overwhelmed with joy and rejoicing when I think of the Goodness and lovingkindness and Grace of our Good Father and our triumphant Savior, King Jesus! We have the victory over shame and guilt and condemnation. Grace is greater than shame.

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]. Romans 8:1 AMP

 This is the witness of Paul, revealing what belongs to us in Christ, see Jesus Himself promising this,

“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the person who hears My word [the one who heeds My message], and believes and trusts in Him who sent Me, has (possesses now) eternal life [that is, eternal life actually begins—the believer is transformed], and does not come into judgment and condemnation, but has passed [over] from death into life. John 5:24 AMP

 We have received the gift of no condemnation. What if we sin? What if we keep sinning the same sin repeatedly? What if we don't go to church anymore? What if we quit reading the Bible? 

 Nothing can separate us from the Love of God. Nothing can change who we are and what we have in Christ when we believed. When we sin, it doesn't change our nature within. It doesn't give the enemy the right to attack us either.  

 Think of it, if you drove your car to a known high crime area and got out of your car with the keys still in the ignition and a crook took advantage and drove off with your car, did that thief have a "right" to take your car? Of course not. Now you made a foolish choice but that still didn't give the criminal the right, if you will, to steal your car. 

 So it is with sin. Sinning is a foolish choice, but unlike what religious leaders teach, your sin doesn't give the enemy the "right" to steal from you. In fact, your sin is none of the devil's business. Your behavior is between you and your Savior never the devil. 

 As for failing to read and study the Word, or not attending church, again, that's a choice you make but God isn't going to condemn you over it. I believe He will lead you into the truth. Prayer, Bible study, church attendance is a beautiful benefit of being in the Body of Christ. 

 God will correct us but never through the use of disaster, death, or destruction, and never condemning us. He leads us into the truth. What truth? The truth of who we are in Him and whose we are because of the Cross. 

 This is what Grace, Eternal Life, relationship with God, Christianity really looks like; my shackles are broken off. I am free and forgiven once for all time. No more am I bound by the chains of brokenness, shame, guilt, condemnation, sin, and spiritual death. I am free to run, to shout, to dance, to live rejoicing in Him. 

 What Christianity, Grace, and life in Christ are NOT supposed to look and feel like; my chains are gone, I better not screw up. I have a new chance at life, I hope I don't blow this. God took a chance on me, I hope I won't let Him down. God has done so much for me, I am so unworthy, I need to do more for Him. God is so faithful, I don't think I have done enough for Him. I hope I can merit His trust and gifts.

 Child of God, brothers, and sisters, let's rejoice in the Goodness of God. He has made us Righteous and we have no condemnation in Him. This is an amazing gift. 

 In summation, rejoice in your inheritance in Christ. Remember it's all because of Jesus. Jesus accomplished it all. He did it all. God is satisfied once for all time in the Finished Work of Christ. 


Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

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