Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 8:1)
Expanded Passage: Romans 8:1-17
Tragedy struck, and six children in our community lost their mother by the hand of their father. A cycle of domestic violence had repeated itself over and over, ending in this unbelievably sad situation. Rightfully so, the father was condemned and sent to jail, forever doomed to bear the shame of what he had done. He will never be able to take back what he did. Justice demanded that he be punished. The courts sentenced him to thirty-five years in prison.
Certainly, we are all horrified by the actions of the father mentioned above. We treasure family and try to show love to family and friends, even when they frustrate us. However, we too have done wrong and sinned. According to the Bible, any sin separates us from God and his love, no matter how little. We too will forever be changed due to our choices. According to God’s own righteous law, we owe a debt to God that needs to be paid.
However, God is willing to take away our sins. Through our acceptance of God’s Spirit, we can shed the shame and guilt our sins deserve. We can live a new way with God’s Spirit that is so much better than the old way. With God’s help we can find freedom from addictive habits and spiritual strongholds and live a free and joyful life.
Rejoice in the pardoning of your guilty sentence and commit to live worthy of your freedom today.
Caryl Aukerman is a wife and mother of three and has served with Global Partners for over seventeen years as a missionary in the country of Albania.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
