Month: September 2022

God’s Grace in Romans – No More Condemnation

We saw from out last discussion that we are altogether wretched, completely impotent of serving God in our strength, however, blessed be God for the glorious life of Christ at work in us. Then the apostle continues;

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1

You see, there are three words from the above verse that are needful in reconnoitering the subject of no condemnation right before us. The words; “therefore,” “now,” and “no,”

First; ‘therefore,’ which is a conjunction term used in drawing conclusion from a previous discussion. This word therefore means “For that reason” “consequently” or “in consequence of,” as defined by various English dictionaries.

So for what reason did Paul make the above conclusion of no condemnation? This is where we have to remember his previous discussion in the forgoing chapter. We saw him conclude in the last two verses about his wretched state, Romans 7:24-25;

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:24-25

Where he differentiates his flesh from his spirit, that the flesh even after salvation, is still under the effects of sin , however, his spirit is alive to God.

This means that he is not totally free from the presence of sin – though free from its inherent nature (Romans 7:21).

This is why he concludes “I myself serve (present continuous tense) with the flesh – the law of sin.”

So how can he be guiltless before a perfectly holy God? He now finds the answer in Romans 8:1

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus”

In the context of his discussion, this answer is not freedom for sinless people but absolute freedom from the guilt and condemnation of the presence of sin for wretched believer; those who are alive to their weak and hopeless condition in themselves outside of Christ.

Why do I say absolute freedom?

The word “now,” is from the Greek word “NUN” meaning “the immediate present” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary). ‘Now’ is “a primary particle of present time; (Strong’s Concordance).

So this speaks of a present condition of guiltlessness and not a future state.

Then we have “no” from the Greek word “OUDEIS” a term of forceful emphasis meaning “not even one…i.e. none” (Strong’s Concordance).

Therefore, there is not even one jot, iota, whit, atom, bit, speck, title, dot, or mite of condemnation for the man in Christ.

Once a man enters into Christ, though there may still be manifestations of the presence of sin, however, he is totally free from the guilt and condemnation of sin – from God.

Now you may ask; why did pastor emphasis – from God?

The next part of the verse explains it; “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Now remember Paul showed us clearly that he tried walking after the flesh, that is – he tried serving God by the power of his flesh but instead of finding freedom he discovered he was all the more condemned.

Believers don’t walk in the flesh, for we are not in the flesh but in Spirit (Romans 8:8), however, we can walk after the flesh.
Now if we walk after the flesh, that is; if we try to serve God under the power of our flesh, we will discover how wretched we are and we will be condemned, but “NOT BY GOD,” our heart will rather condemn us the same way Paul’s heart condemned him.

If we walk after the flesh in the way of sin, condemnation will “Never” come from God as long as we are in Christ, rather, God will deal with us to help us come out of the sin so we won’t be condemned (1Corinthians 11:32).

However, if we stay there long enough Satan will condemn us, our heart will also condemn us even though God is not angry or counting our sins against us.

So we walk after the spirit, that is; we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit for power, righteousness, holiness, wisdom, and all things, this way when we fail, our eyes are still on Christ as our righteousness so we are not condemned.

We were never looking to the flesh where there is no good thing so our hearts stand steadfast on Christ, receiving forgiveness and righteousness, hence we are not condemned.

Our hearts receive the flow of the love of God; his forgiveness and perfect justification for the ungodly flows continuously into our hearts, enabling us to serve him acceptably in his unconditional and unmerited grace.

Confession

Blessed be God, the life of Christ is now my source of strength and righteousness. I stand in Christ justified, qualified for every blessing.

God’s nature of righteousness is at work in me, producing life and wholeness. Every sphere of my life is invigorated with the miracle-working power of God. I live continuously in favour, power and glory. Praise Jesus!

Prophetic Insight

I see sons and daughters of the Lord who have waited on him for so long for the blessing. As I sat with the Lord in prayer, I heard the Lord say to many;

“The wait is over; this is the moment of your lifting. I am no longer resting until I see my glory cover your life as the waters cover the sea.

My anointing will now burn as a flame bringing deliverance and lifting just like I have promised. It is time dear one, your wait is over”

For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. Isaiah 62:1

Blessings in Christ;
Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua
Living Hill Christian Church

God’s Grace in Romans — Christ, the Way Out!

We saw from our last discussion that, before new birth, and after the new birth, no man can serve God in the flesh for therein lies no good thing, the flesh is destitute of the power to perform good works.

So we hear the apostle continue;

“For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” Romans 7:20.

Without reliance on the Spirit he explains how miserable we are. He knew God’s law is good but “the good that I would I do not,” rather my flesh lusts after that which is forbidden.

This total inability of the flesh to do that which is good he calls a law.

“I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.” Romans 7:21.

This evil he speaks about is not something externally present around him, however, as he had stated earlier in verse 18, in his flesh lies no good thing.

His born-again Spirit is created according to God, but it is trapped in a body that is dead because of sin.

So the new man longs to serve God;

“For I delight in the law of God after the inward man,” Romans 7:22.

But the total depravity of the flesh has become a force against his spirit (Galatians 5:17).

“But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members,” Romans 7:23.

Observe carefully this; the word used above for law is from the Greek NOMOS and it means “a force or influence impelling to action” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary).

It does not mean the sin nature or the old man directly but it speaks of that which influences sin. The total depravity of the flesh is a constant influence or propelling force of sin.

The old patterns, attitudes, emotions and mindsets the sin nature left behind are constantly at war with the mind of the Spirit.

This total depravity of the flesh to respond to God in itself which he termed the law or influence of sin in his members he now explains it clearly, calling this law “the body of death.”

“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:24.

Just like it is a law that a dead man cannot respond to stimuli, even so he calls it a law that a body dead in sin cannot respond to the things of God, (Romans 8:10).

He tried using the law to ignite his body to respond to the things of God, however, the law only commanded him but couldn’t give his flesh life to do that which is good, (Galatians 3:21).

He resorted to human strength and academic excellence for he was well educated but this couldn’t help him either, (Philippians 3:4-7).

He now finds himself where God wants all men to be, “O wretched man that I am,” sinners in need of a saviour.

Complete nothings without God’s help. Totally depraved with no plea, our only hope is a saviour outside of ourselves.

So he reaches out “who shall deliver me from the body of this death.” Only one man is capable, the Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed. Only his life can revitalize the body to respond to God.

“I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh The Law of sin.” Romans 7:25.

So through the energy of Christ at work in me, my body can be quickened to serve The LORD.

But the Truth still remains that in my flesh alone, “I serve The Law of sin” — but I am not only flesh, in my mind, in my inner man — I serve The Law of God.

Confession

Thank you LORD Jesus for The Salvation I have in you!

Christ my strength, Christ my wealth, Christ my health, Christ my all.

I cannot be weak and I cannot be defeated, for You are my sum of all spiritual and material things.

I can do all things through your energy at work in me.

Glory to God!

Prophetic Insight

I saw many sons and daughters of The LORD hoping and wishing to break grounds and begin the possession of their promise, however, many felt the capacity needed, or what it takes to command authority in these territories won’t be released by the father to them.

They are seeing themselves not fit for these huge breakthroughs.

But hear what The Father says to you, “I AM for you dear Child. saved you because I have always desired to give you The Kingdom.

My Life I have laid down as a proof that nothing is too big for Me to give to you. How much more these little blessings?

I will hold back nothing until you are lifted. I have freely given you all things my dear elect . I will never accept any evil charge against you for I AM your own justice.

Watch out for the Signs of this Word. You will begin to see little but tangible manifestations of My Favour.

Do not wave them off as just another fleeing Dream. Pick these Signs, hold unto this little signs and reach out for the greater blessings”

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.” Romans 8:31-33.

Blessings in Christ,
~ Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua
Living Hill Christian Church.