Ewald Schmidt

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus …” Romans 8:1

Last month we celebrated the feast of Pentecost. God had poured out his Spirit over his church. The Holy Spirit loves to heal broken people, and give them hope. In this month’s journey together, we are exploring the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. We will be reading one of the epic chapters in Scripture together, Romans 8, and it deals with the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

One of the most basic questions that believers struggle with, is the question of whether God really has forgiven all our sins. When we pause on the journey of life, and reflect upon our past, there are some chapters of our story that we feel a bit embarrassed about. Maybe you have had some serious problems in your life, which you did not deal with in a way a believer in Christ should have. It has happened to all of us. Later on in life, such episodes may cast a shadow of doubt in our minds – did God really forgive me for those things I have done?

Is it not possible that God has this ancient balance scale on Judgment Day, with all my sins on the one side, and all my good deeds on the opposite side? A journey through the Book of Romans tells us that this is not the way God works with us. Romans 3:10 states that no person is righteous, or seeking God through their own will. All have turned away from God. We have missed the purpose for which God has created us. That is called sin. The wages of sin is death, according to Romans 6:23. But we can’t stop reading there!

It is not God’s will for us to suffer eternal death. Romans 6:23 continues with the hopeful message, “… but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.” Romans 5:1 teaches us that through our faith in Christ we are justified, through faith we have peace with God. God’s grace for us is larger than any misdeed we could have done. When we come to Christ with our broken lives, He forgives us. Jesus’ last word on the cross was “Tetelestai,” meaning “It is finished.” The price has been paid, our sins have been forgiven. There are no surprises of unpaid sin waiting for us when Jesus returns as the Judge. He took the burden of our sins upon himself when he died on the cross for us. Unburdened – we are set free to follow him as his disciples on our journey of life. He delights in giving people new beginnings! Are you still struggling to carry the burdens of your past? Bring that heavy load to Jesus, and receive the new life from him! There is NOW no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We have been forgiven!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you have paid such an amazing price for me. Thank you that I may know that the cost of my sins have been paid in full, when you are the Lord of my life. I could not save myself, without you I was lost. Holy Spirit, please help me to dedicate my life to live for Christ without any reservation. Amen.