Free for Life!

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1‭-‬2 NIV

Paul who wrote these words under divine inspiration noted in the verses before today's extract the daily struggles that he had with the sinful nature. No matter how hard a man tries by his own strength, he cannot obey God's law. There is a law at work, the law that became empowered when man fell into sin in the Garden of Eden. No matter how nice and noble man's intentions were, he found himself struggling to obey God's law. And by the way, at all times, everyone of us is subject to one law, either the law of sin, which leads to death, or the law of the Spirit of Life, which is found in Christ.

Look at today's extract: there is a place and position where the benefits of life can be realised. No matter how many hours you spend in or around church, or doing good deeds, or being morally upright, it is not just enough to enjoy the benefits listed here. You have got to be IN Christ, not just in church. We have focused on the physical building instead of the real substance; we have focused our energy on striving to please God by activity, instead of building a relationship with God. No matter how hard I try, I cannot replace relationship with activity. All I do will only receive the grace of impact when done under God's leading, direction and backing.

No matter what I tell myself, no matter how independent my thinking is, I need a Saviour. I was born a slave to sin, and as a result, without the power to live free under God's grace. I must decide to accept the offer of Life and salvation made by God. Judgment is coming; it has got nothing to do with whether I believe that or not. Everything around us points to the truth that this present phase as we know it will soon end. A reckoning will be demanded by the owner of our life for how we lived it. How would I stand before God and declare that I didn't need him? How would I deny his power, grace, help and life down here and expect to live with him forever?

The devil will not roll over and surrender; he will continue to fight and strive, but if I am rightly located, I am assured of Life both down here and as an eternal reward. I live today in the reality of the life I have received, and I hold on to the God who owns and holds that life in his hands. Only IN there am I truly safe, free from condemnation, wrath and death. His time of favour is here.