In todays devotional we will rap up a 4-part series on one of the most prolific pieces of writing ever penned. I havent even begun to extract the full amount of wisdom that can be fully gleaned from this verse, but within these 4-writings, we can surely derive the purpose of its existence, the power of its origin, and the gift of its truth.
In the first 3-parts of this devotional series, weve looked at the difference between condemnation and conviction, and what it means to be In Christ Jesus. At the end of each of these first 3-parts, we came to the unmistakable conclusion, that there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
In todays devotional, I wanted to look at the remainder of this verse, because some people believe there is a stipulation attached to it that alleviates Gods grace upon their life, should they walk according to the flesh, or in other words, sin.
Q:Is there, in fact, a stipulation on the end of this verse that would infer that were not immune to condemnation, should we stumble in sin after weve accepted the Lord?
A:I do not believe so. And I believe the following story as recorded in Scripture proves this point.
We see Jesus being confronted by the Scribes and Pharisees in the Book of John, chapter 8. They had caught a woman in the act of adultery, and they had brought her to Jesus to see if they could trick Him to answer them in a way that would contradict how the Jewish law commanded she be punished, which would have been death.
After telling them, He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first, they each dropped their stones and left her with Jesus. Jesus then turned to the woman and said, Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?
She said, No one, Lord. And Jesus said to her, Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.
Q:What about the last part of verse 11? Go and sin no more.
Isnt that a critical part of the key here to being forgiven?
A:I do not believe that Is what was being inferred here.
I dont believe that it was Jesus tone, or line of reasoning with this woman.
I dont think that Jesus, after forgiving her, said or inferred,
All right, Ill forgive you this one time,
But if you slip up again,
Thats it! Its the lake of fire for you.
No, I believe Jesus told her in love, Go in peace, youre forgiven. And I can state with confidence, He did it with a smile, rather than an angry scowl or a pointing finger.
Because, if he didnt, He wouldnt have been any different than those hypocritical Pharisees who were accusing her in the first place.
We need to be confident in this fact, as Christians; when Jesus died on the Cross, and paid for our sins, He did it once and for all.
By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. Hebrews 10:10-13 (NKJV)
One sacrifice, for sins forever! That covers it! Not for little while. Not for as long as your good. Forever!
We are forgiven, and God will not remember our sins. He is a God of mercy, and a God of truth. He is faithful, even when were not. His faithfulness is not based on our ability to live righteouslyit is based on Him being a righteous God, and His Sons payment in full for our transgressions. It is Gods right and His choice to blot out these sins. We shouldnt cheapen that by thinking that weve earned it somehow.
I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My
own sake; And I will not remember your sins. Isaiah 43:25 (NKJV)
Rejoice Christian! Youre free from the judgment of Gods righteous wrath. Share this good news with others, and help them to discover it as well.
What will you do today with this truth? Will you share it, or will you keep it to yourself? This is a big question, because we will be judged on this.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn from the Scriptures above?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Can you see the liberating truth that youve been set free, and that there is no condemnation now that youve accepted Christ?
APPLICATION: Share this with those whom God lays upon your heart, as often as you are prompted by the Holy Spirit.
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