Friday,
May 8, 2026
NO CONDEMNATION!
Rom 8:1-4
1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For
the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of
sin and death.
3 For
what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending
his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the
flesh:
4 That
the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not
after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
The
words “righteous” and “righteousness” seem to refer to
the conformity to some generally acceptable standard of being and doing. Thayer
says that righteousness is “the state of him who is such as he ought to be.” Prior to the giving of the law, cultural custom
established what was right and the general population either conformed or not.
Non-conformists were “unrighteous.”
The Decalogue, or the Ten Commandments, specifically
spelled out God’s standard of acceptable behavior. Within the
list are both dos and don’ts. “To be sure, in the days of later
Pharisaism righteousness came to be so much a matter of externals that the
inner intent was often lost sight of altogether (Matt 23:23); but, on the whole
and in the main, Christian thought in all ages has recognized as the central
element in righteousness the intention to be and do right.” (from
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.)
Jesus came to change the paradigm of righteousness.
Because man had failed in doing, Jesus came to introduce
righteousness by being. Now the righteousness without the law is introduced
(Romans 3:21). Yet Jesus explained that he did not come to destroy the law but
to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-20). The Law promoted conformity to deeds and
creeds while Jesus introduced righteousness through relationship. We who are
unrighteous are declared to be righteous through relationship with Christ.
Conformity to God’s standards,
obligation to obey, and accountability for disobedience has not
been removed but Jesus has introduced a new means of reckoning
(Ephesians 2:8-10). Salvation is by grace without conformity to the law, but
that relationship does not remove responsibility. We are His
workmanship unto (epi) good works. So, while good works do not produce
salvation, salvation should produce good works. I am unrighteous but I have
been infused with the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ. This
new relationship empowers me and enables me to progressively conform to the
image of Christ.
Dear Jesus, once again I have failed
to explain the incomprehensible. This is as it should be. The grace of God that
brings salvation is contrary to every standard of man. Because you suffered, I
am released. Because you obeyed, my disobedience is forgiven. Thank you for
your wonderful salvation. AMEN
