Prison Break

For many years I was confused about what Paul wrote in Romans chapter six. Verse two says, “How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”  I couldn’t understand this, because I knew I was a born-again child of God, yet I still committed sin (and still do).

I have come to understand that in all but one instance, every time the word sin was used in the original text, it is the noun form of the word. (The only time the verb form was used is in verse 15.) This means that we have died to the condemnation that comes from sin!

Although Jesus never sinned, the condemnation of sin was imputed to Him at the cross.  So also we who are born-again children of God, do not and will not receive the condemnation that comes from sin, rather Jesus’ righteousness is imputed to us. Only when you realize that you will never come under the condemnation of sin, will sin lose its power in your life!

In John chapter eight Jesus demonstrates this with the woman caught in adultery.  When, one by one, the accusers left, Jesus asked the woman where her accusers were and if anyone condemned her.  With her own mouth she voiced the answer, “No one Lord.” Jesus answered, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”  First, she was free from the condemnation of sin, then she could “go and sin no more”! 

Once upon a time we were all in a prison called sin (noun).  We have Adam to thank for that (Roman 5:19). But when we accepted Christ’s finished work by believing it in our heart (obeying from the heart), we received a prison break!  We are no longer slaves to sin but to righteousness (Romans 6:18)!

Now even when you doubt, complain, lose your temper, etc. (commit sin) God sees you as nothing but righteous (if you're in Christ).  In this security of righteousness you can overcome those sins!

This is what is meant by Romans 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”  Although grace and the gift of righteousness that comes with it are free to us, it’s not cheap.  It cost Jesus a dear, dear price – to the point that he sweat blood just thinking about the cross. 

Let’s not cheapen grace by believing anything less about ourselves than God declares over us!

Listen in the Quietness by Helen Steiner Rice

To try to run away from life is impossible to do,
For no matter where you chance to go, your troubles will follow you-
For though the scenery is different, when you look deep inside you'll find
The same deep, restless longings that you thought you left behind...
So when life becomes a problem much too great for us to bear,
Instead of trying to escape, let us withdraw in prayer-
For withdrawal means renewal if we withdraw to pray
And listen in the quietness to hear what God will say.
image: Arvind Balaraman/freedigitalphotos.net

Have You Fallen From Grace?

So many people seem to think the title question means, "Have you sinned so bad that there is no more grace for you?"  Well, that could not be further from the truth.  Galatians 5:1-4 explains that those who attempt to be justified by the law have fallen from grace.  So basically that means if you're relying on anything other than the finished work of Jesus at the cross, you've fallen from grace.   God's grace to us through Jesus encompasses so much more than forgiveness of sin.  His grace provides for our physical healing and financial prosperity as well.  If you don't believe me read Isaiah 53:5 and 2 Corinthians 8:9.

To flesh this out a bit, I will list some typical thoughts a person might have who is not fully established in the grace of God:

I'm praying for God to heal so-and-so.  They're so devout, I hope God will heal them.  If anyone deserves it, they do.  Wrong!  The truth is that God provided for everyone's healing through Jesus' stripes. (1 Peter 2:24)

Gee, I haven't prayed or read my bible in awhile.  I wonder if I've lost favor in my relationship with God.  Wrong again!  God relates to you and sees you as He sees His son Jesus.  You are the righteousness of God in Christ.  You are not becoming more righteous.  As Jesus is, so are you in this world in your spirit.  (2 Corinthians 5:21 and 1 John 4:17)  I should note that reading your bible and praying do benefit you, but they certainly don't make you righteous or make you a favorite with Father God.

I try so hard to do the right thing!  But I just seem to keep messing up and making the same mistakes over again.  Can I ever get victory?  Is God still pleased with me?  Yes and Yes.  You can get victory and God is still pleased with you.  When we try in our own self-effort to overcome a problem, often the results are less than stellar.  But I have found that when I admit my weakness, thus humbling myself before the Lord, I receive His grace (ability) to overcome the problem.  (See James 4:6)  And if I do stumble and fall again, there is no condemnation for me because I am in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)

I hope this helps you start seeing yourself as God sees you.  Embrace the truth that He is pleased with you if you're in Christ Jesus.

Image: Maggie Smith/freedigitalphotos.net