The Thirteenth Amendment that abolished slavery in the United States was ratified by the necessary number of states on December 6, 1865. So, how many slaves were there in the US on December 7?
Technically, there were none. Although the law had been passed, there were many who did not know the truth and continued to live like slaves. There were many others who knew they were free but doubted the reality of their freedom. This seems to be true of many believers in Jesus today. An “amendment of freedom” has been passed by the death of Jesus, but many doubt the reality of their freedom and continue to live like slaves to sin. This is precisely what Paul spoke of in Romans 8.
He begins the chapter with “So now,” a phrase that referred to the earlier themes of Romans: freedom from sin, justification by faith alone, friendship with God, and assurance of salvation and eternal life—all which were achieved through Christ.
Paul reminded his readers, “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (v.1). This means that there is absolutely no eternal punishment or estrangement for those who place their trust in the finished work of Jesus. Their sins are forgiven and covered. The war is over and they are no longer enemies of God. No accusation against them will stand. In this verse, Paul communicated that we’re no longer condemned under the penalty of sin, and there’s no condemnation or peril that could ever separate us from the love of Christ (vv.31-39).
At times, sin and failure cause us to doubt the reality of the freedom that Jesus has provided for us. Let’s remember that He alone has secured and sustained our salvation. It’s all about Him, not our performance.
More:
• John 3:17-18,36
• John 5:24
• Ephesians 2:1-10
Next:
Since your good performance didn’t secure your salvation and your failure can’t cause you to lose your salvation, why should you live differently? How will you praise God this day for His “no condemnation” proclamation?
bethanyF on April 12, 2010 at 5:15 am
I will try and be an example as Christ was an example for many.
bethanyF on April 12, 2010 at 5:15 am
I will try and lead others to the example of Christ
marvin williams on April 12, 2010 at 6:49 am
Bethany, I thank God for your willingness to be an example. Blessings on you as you follow hard after Jesus.
Mil on April 12, 2010 at 8:07 am
I was touched by the statement “He alone has secured and sustained our salvation”. That reminds me my salvation begins and ends in the redemptive work of Christ Jesus. The matter has been settled forever. All condemnation has been removed, and I am free to live for Him by the power of the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah!
marvin williams on April 12, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Mil, I thank God for your encouragement. We really do have to keep before us the idea that salvation is the sole work of God through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, don’t we. It is so easy for us to feel guilty when we fail. I believe this is a subtle scheme of the enemy to make us believe that we can do something to secure and sustain our salvation. You are, we are safe in HiS arms.
bethsjourney on April 12, 2010 at 8:43 am
Amen Marvin! Amen!! All too often I have found myself in this exact place…I say I belong to Christ, I am trying to walk in Christ…but yet I still feel a “slave” to all these worldly things and the many doubters living around me….the confusion blurs around me and makes it difficult for me at times to walk with Christ like I want to and know I need to.
THANK you!! for this blog today. I will work and pray each day that Jesus is on the forefront of my thoughts and actions.
marvin williams on April 12, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Imagine me giving you a “high five” right now because you are spot on in your last statement. Beth, we all live there at some point. We simply need to be reminded and inspired by his word, the Holy Spirit and community (the church) to continue living out our freedom. I thank God for you taking time to comment. Blessings on you as you continue to journey with Jesus.
anj1990 on April 12, 2010 at 9:16 am
Although I’m saved , sometimes I feel like I’ve fallen from grace. But thanks be to god, he secures our salvation so we can never lose it. I thank god for giving you that message, I needed to hear that :)!
marvin williams on April 12, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Anj, I need to hear it most days. We have have been qualified by God the Father through the work of His Son on the cross and he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transfered us to the kingdom of his dear Son. This is not wishful thinking; this is a spiritual reality, today. Right now! You are free in Christ. Let’s walk in it.
Soldier4Christ on April 12, 2010 at 10:41 am
Bethsjourney and anj1990, I like probably many others can so relate to your posts, I have been there myself. Satan loves nothing more than place seeds of doubt in our minds to keep us from doing the things that we should be doing for Christ, and from living in victory in Jesus. So many people get trapped in the mind set of being a slave to sin, I was one of those. Thank God for this message of freedom, I have heard in the past week several ministers share this same type of message. God wants His people to know that we are set free from sin, Jesus did the work on the cross and now we are truly free.
marvin williams on April 12, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Soldier4Christ, may God richly bless you because your words to all of us are spot on. Satan planted seeds of doubt in my mind when I sinned. My relationship with Jesus used to be performance- based – thinking I needed to be perfect in order to please him. How unrealistic is that. I did nothing to earn my salvation and I can do nothing to sustain it. My freedom is solely the work of Jesus. My living for him daily is solely the work of the Holy Spirit, as I submit my life to him through obedience to God’s word. Didn’t mean to preach, but all of these comments inspired me and filled me with appreciation and joy for what our Father has accomplished in us through his Son. Be blessed.
marvin williams on April 12, 2010 at 6:50 am
We seek his glory and we “perform” for an audience of One. Today, let’s quietly transfer all glory to him. Blessings on you as the gospel bears fruit in your life.