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NO CONDEMNATION IN CHRIST
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
(Romans 8:1 NIV)
"The least understood benefit of salvation is that God doesn't condemn us anymore."
Hal Lindsey, The Liberation of Planet Earth
The most important thing we Christians need to know is who we are and what we have in Christ. The New Testament informs us over 150 times that all of us are dwelling in Christ. We have a glorious, exalted, permanent, and secure place in Christ. We are in Christ, now; forgiven in Him, and free from all condemnation in Him.
Romans 8 has been called the victory chapter.
It begins with the good news of no condemnation IN God's Kingdom
And it ends with the good news of NO separation FROM God's Kingdom
To appreciate Chapter 8 we must first understand Chapter 7.
Chapter 7 is about self-effort, struggle, and failure
Chapter 8 is about rest, freedom, and success.
In Chapter 7, Paul is consumed by sin.
In Chapter 8, Paul is saved by grace.
Chapter 7 is about a man under the law who cannot win.
Chapter 8 is about a man under grace who cannot lose.
Chapter 7 is the end result of man's do-it-yourself religion.
Chapter 8 is the end result of God's merciful redemption.
Chapter 7 is man's failed attempt to make himself righteous.
Chapter 8 is man blessed with God's gift of righteousness.
By grace you are now a liberated, victorious, righteous, new creation in Christ – loved, valued, accepted, and forgiven forever. (2Corinthians 5:17-21)
"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14 NKJV)
"Because of His grace, He declared us righteous, and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life." (Titus 3:7 NLT)
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