Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Romans 8:34
Today is the final day of my preparation to lead worship at the Gardens and The Lodge tomorrow. My preparation continues to leverage DesiringGod.com's 40-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #12: To Take Away Our Condemnation. Here, the devotion opens by sharing how Christ's death offers a great conclusion summarized in Romans 8:1 that there is "no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." The devotion then describes how "faith in Christ unites us to Christ so that his death becomes our death and his perfection becomes our perfection. Christ becomes our punishment (which we don’t have to bear) and our perfection (which we cannot perform)." The question is then asked who is to condemn and the devotion answers no one because Christ has already died once and for all of humanity (Romans 6:10). The devotion concludes by exploring the question of whether believers are condemned by the world and it shares that yes (as evidenced by the many martyrs in scripture and beyond), but not successfully. "Not successfully" is defined and clarified by pointing to scripture in Romans 8:33, 8:35, 8:37, and 31 where it states that God has justified believers, that even in death we cannot be separated from God's love because as Christ conquered sin and death we will also, and that because God is for us, no condemnation from the world will stop us from joining Christ in Heaven. How encouraging! As a final word of encouragement and application, the devotion points us to Proverbs 28:1 where in light of how we have no condemnation we are to be bold as a lion!
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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who saves me from condemnation! Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of how You saved me. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
