Debp Posted March 31, 2020 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 52 Topic Count: 1,020 Topics Per Day: 0.15 Content Count: 12,313 Content Per Day: 1.80 Reputation: 16,368 Days Won: 92 Joined: 07/19/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted March 31, 2020 Putting this here so more might find it. Really an excellent explanation from Grace Gems (free and public domain). It is a bit long but well worth the reading of it!! Comfort for Christians by Arthur W. Pink, 1952 NO CONDEMNATION "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) "There is therefore now no condemnation." The eighth chapter of the epistle to the Romans concludes the first section of that wonderful epistle. Its opening word "Therefore" may be viewed in a twofold way. First, it connects with all that has been said from 3:21. An inference is now deduced from the whole of the preceding discussion, an inference which was, in fact, the grand conclusion toward which the apostle had been aiming throughout the entire argument. Because Christ has been set forth "a propitiation through faith in His blood" (3:25); because He was "delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification" (4:25); because by the obedience of the One the many (believers of all ages) are "made righteous," constituted so, legally, (5:19); because believers have "died (judicially) to sin" (6:2); because they have "died" to the condemning power of the law (7:4), "there is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION." But not only is the "therefore" to be viewed as a conclusion drawn from the whole of the previous discussion, it is also to be considered as having a close relation to what immediately precedes. In the second half of Romans 7 the apostle had described the painful and ceaseless conflict which is waged between the antagonistic natures in the one who has been born again, illustrating this by a reference to his own personal experiences as a Christian. Having portrayed with a master pen--himself sitting for the picture--the spiritual struggles of the child of God, the apostle now proceeds to direct attention to the Divine consolation for a condition so distressing and humiliating. The transition from the despondent tone of the seventh chapter to the triumphant language of the eighth, appears startling and abrupt, yet is quite logical and natural. If it is true that to the saints of God belongs the conflict of sin and death, under whose effect they mourn, equally true is it that their deliverance from the curse and the corresponding condemnation, is a victory in which they rejoice. A very striking contrast is thus pointed. In the second half of Romans 7 the apostle treats the power of sin, which operates in believers as long as they are in the world; in the opening verses of chapter eight, he speaks of the guilt of sin from which they are completely delivered the moment they are united to the Savior by faith. Hence in 7:24 the apostle asks "Who shall deliver me" from the power of sin, but in 8:2 he says, "has made me free," that is has delivered me, from the guilt of sin. "There is therefore now no condemnation." It is not here a question of our heart condemning us (as in 1 John 3:21), nor of us finding nothing within which is worthy of condemnation; instead, it is the far more blessed fact that God does not condemn the one who has trusted in Christ, to the saving of his soul. We need to distinguish sharply between subjective and objective truth; between that which is judicial and that which is experimental; otherwise, we shall fail to draw from such Scriptures as the one now before us the comfort and peace they are designed to convey. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. "In Christ" is the believer's position before God, not his condition in the flesh. "In Adam" I was condemned (Rom 5:12); but "in Christ" is to be forever freed from all condemnation. "There is therefore now no condemnation." The qualifying "now" implies there was a time when Christians, before they believed, were under condemnation. This was before they died with Christ, died judicially (Gal 2:20) to the penalty of God's righteous law. This "now," then, distinguishes between two states or conditions. By nature we were "under the (sentence of) law," but now believers are "under grace" (Rom 6:14). By nature we were "children of wrath" (Eph. 2:2), but now we are "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6). Under the first covenant we were "in Adam" (1 Cor 15:22), but now we are "in Christ" (Rom 8:1). As believers in Christ we have everlasting life, and because of this we "shall not come into condemnation." Condemnation is a word of tremendous import, and the better we understand it, the more shall we appreciate the wondrous grace which has delivered us from its power. In the halls of a human court this is a term which falls with fearful knell upon the ear of the convicted criminal and fills the spectators with sadness and horror. But in the court of Divine Justice it is vested with a meaning and content infinitely more solemn and awe-inspiring. To that Court every member of Adam's fallen race is cited. "Conceived in sin, shaped in iniquity" each one enters this world under arrest--an indicted criminal, a rebel manacled. How, then, is it possible for such a one to escape the execution of the dread sentence? There was only one way, and that was by the removal from us of that which called forth the sentence, namely SIN. Let guilt be removed and there can be "no condemnation." Has guilt been removed, removed, we mean, from the sinner who believes? Let the Scriptures answer: "As far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12). "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions" (Isa 43:25). "You have cast all my sins behind your back" (Isa 38:17). "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Heb. 10:17). But how could guilt be removed? Only by it being transferred. Divine holiness could not ignore it; but Divine grace could and did transfer it. The sins of believers were transferred to Christ: "The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isa 53:6). "For he has made him to be sin for us" (2 Cor 5:21). "There is therefore no condemnation." The "no" is emphatic. It signifies there is no condemnation whatever. No condemnation from the law, or on account of inward corruption, or because Satan can substantiate a charge against me; there is none from any source or for any cause at all. "No condemnation" means that none at all is possible; that none ever will be. There is no condemnation because there is no accusation (see 8:33), and there can be no accusation because there is no imputation of sin (see 4:8). "There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." When treating of the conflict between the two natures in the believer the apostle had, in the previous chapter, spoken of himself in his own person, in order to show that the highest attainments in grace do no exempt from the internal warfare which he there describes. But here in 8:1 the apostle changes the number. He does not say, There is no condemnation to me, but "to those who are in Christ Jesus." This was most gracious of the Holy Spirit. Had the apostle spoken here in the singular number, we should have reasoned that such a blessed exemption was well suited to this honored servant of God who enjoyed such wondrous privileges; but could not apply to us. The Spirit of God, therefore, moved the apostle to employ the plural number here, to show that "no condemnation" is true of all in Christ Jesus. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." To be in Christ Jesus is to be perfectly identified with Him in the judicial reckoning and dealings of God. And it is also to be one with Him as vitally united by faith. Immunity from condemnation does not depend in any way upon our "walk," but solely on our being "in Christ." "The believer is in Christ as Noah was enclosed within the ark, with the heavens darkening above him, and the waters heaving beneath him, yet not a drop of the flood penetrating his vessel, not a blast of the storm disturbing the serenity of his spirit. The believer is in Christ as Jacob was in the garment of the elder brother when Isaac kissed and blessed him. He is in Christ as the poor homicide was within the city of refuge when pursued by the avenger of blood, but who could not overtake and slay him" (Octavius Winslow, 1857). And because he is "in Christ" there is, therefore, no condemnation for him. Hallelujah! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enoob57 Posted March 31, 2020 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 35 Topic Count: 100 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 41,189 Content Per Day: 7.98 Reputation: 21,469 Days Won: 76 Joined: 03/13/2010 Status: Offline Birthday: 07/27/1957 Share Posted March 31, 2020 As a perfect fit to what God tells us of The Judgment Seat of Christ 1 Cor 3:10-23 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. KJV This fire spoken of is the same that will remove all first creation of God - the universe and all it entails... This prompts Peter to say 2 Peter 3:11-13 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. KJV The what manner - we are to be a people not of this world and have no ties to the things of this temporary place! If we consider that which is temporary (universe and bodies) a means to which we build upon the eternal foundation we will suffer loss in said fire... but if by faith we use that which passes away as nothing but in movement by faith to the promises of the new heaven and earth that work will be transferred to eternal keeping... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic66 Posted April 1, 2020 Group: Senior Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 31 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 649 Content Per Day: 0.20 Reputation: 200 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/30/2015 Status: Offline Share Posted April 1, 2020 (edited) On 3/31/2020 at 12:03 PM, Debp said: Putting this here so more might find it. Really an excellent explanation from Grace Gems (free and public domain). It is a bit long but well worth the reading of it!! Comfort for Christians by Arthur W. Pink, 1952 NO CONDEMNATION "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) "There is therefore now no condemnation." The eighth chapter of the epistle to the Romans concludes the first section of that wonderful epistle. Its opening word "Therefore" may be viewed in a twofold way. First, it connects with all that has been said from 3:21. An inference is now deduced from the whole of the preceding discussion, an inference which was, in fact, the grand conclusion toward which the apostle had been aiming throughout the entire argument. Because Christ has been set forth "a propitiation through faith in His blood" (3:25); because He was "delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification" (4:25); because by the obedience of the One the many (believers of all ages) are "made righteous," constituted so, legally, (5:19); because believers have "died (judicially) to sin" (6:2); because they have "died" to the condemning power of the law (7:4), "there is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION." But not only is the "therefore" to be viewed as a conclusion drawn from the whole of the previous discussion, it is also to be considered as having a close relation to what immediately precedes. In the second half of Romans 7 the apostle had described the painful and ceaseless conflict which is waged between the antagonistic natures in the one who has been born again, illustrating this by a reference to his own personal experiences as a Christian. Having portrayed with a master pen--himself sitting for the picture--the spiritual struggles of the child of God, the apostle now proceeds to direct attention to the Divine consolation for a condition so distressing and humiliating. The transition from the despondent tone of the seventh chapter to the triumphant language of the eighth, appears startling and abrupt, yet is quite logical and natural. If it is true that to the saints of God belongs the conflict of sin and death, under whose effect they mourn, equally true is it that their deliverance from the curse and the corresponding condemnation, is a victory in which they rejoice. A very striking contrast is thus pointed. In the second half of Romans 7 the apostle treats the power of sin, which operates in believers as long as they are in the world; in the opening verses of chapter eight, he speaks of the guilt of sin from which they are completely delivered the moment they are united to the Savior by faith. Hence in 7:24 the apostle asks "Who shall deliver me" from the power of sin, but in 8:2 he says, "has made me free," that is has delivered me, from the guilt of sin. "There is therefore now no condemnation." It is not here a question of our heart condemning us (as in 1 John 3:21), nor of us finding nothing within which is worthy of condemnation; instead, it is the far more blessed fact that God does not condemn the one who has trusted in Christ, to the saving of his soul. We need to distinguish sharply between subjective and objective truth; between that which is judicial and that which is experimental; otherwise, we shall fail to draw from such Scriptures as the one now before us the comfort and peace they are designed to convey. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. "In Christ" is the believer's position before God, not his condition in the flesh. "In Adam" I was condemned (Rom 5:12); but "in Christ" is to be forever freed from all condemnation. "There is therefore now no condemnation." The qualifying "now" implies there was a time when Christians, before they believed, were under condemnation. This was before they died with Christ, died judicially (Gal 2:20) to the penalty of God's righteous law. This "now," then, distinguishes between two states or conditions. By nature we were "under the (sentence of) law," but now believers are "under grace" (Rom 6:14). By nature we were "children of wrath" (Eph. 2:2), but now we are "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6). Under the first covenant we were "in Adam" (1 Cor 15:22), but now we are "in Christ" (Rom 8:1). As believers in Christ we have everlasting life, and because of this we "shall not come into condemnation." Condemnation is a word of tremendous import, and the better we understand it, the more shall we appreciate the wondrous grace which has delivered us from its power. In the halls of a human court this is a term which falls with fearful knell upon the ear of the convicted criminal and fills the spectators with sadness and horror. But in the court of Divine Justice it is vested with a meaning and content infinitely more solemn and awe-inspiring. To that Court every member of Adam's fallen race is cited. "Conceived in sin, shaped in iniquity" each one enters this world under arrest--an indicted criminal, a rebel manacled. How, then, is it possible for such a one to escape the execution of the dread sentence? There was only one way, and that was by the removal from us of that which called forth the sentence, namely SIN. Let guilt be removed and there can be "no condemnation." Has guilt been removed, removed, we mean, from the sinner who believes? Let the Scriptures answer: "As far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12). "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions" (Isa 43:25). "You have cast all my sins behind your back" (Isa 38:17). "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Heb. 10:17). But how could guilt be removed? Only by it being transferred. Divine holiness could not ignore it; but Divine grace could and did transfer it. The sins of believers were transferred to Christ: "The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isa 53:6). "For he has made him to be sin for us" (2 Cor 5:21). "There is therefore no condemnation." The "no" is emphatic. It signifies there is no condemnation whatever. No condemnation from the law, or on account of inward corruption, or because Satan can substantiate a charge against me; there is none from any source or for any cause at all. "No condemnation" means that none at all is possible; that none ever will be. There is no condemnation because there is no accusation (see 8:33), and there can be no accusation because there is no imputation of sin (see 4:8). "There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." When treating of the conflict between the two natures in the believer the apostle had, in the previous chapter, spoken of himself in his own person, in order to show that the highest attainments in grace do no exempt from the internal warfare which he there describes. But here in 8:1 the apostle changes the number. He does not say, There is no condemnation to me, but "to those who are in Christ Jesus." This was most gracious of the Holy Spirit. Had the apostle spoken here in the singular number, we should have reasoned that such a blessed exemption was well suited to this honored servant of God who enjoyed such wondrous privileges; but could not apply to us. The Spirit of God, therefore, moved the apostle to employ the plural number here, to show that "no condemnation" is true of all in Christ Jesus. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." To be in Christ Jesus is to be perfectly identified with Him in the judicial reckoning and dealings of God. And it is also to be one with Him as vitally united by faith. Immunity from condemnation does not depend in any way upon our "walk," but solely on our being "in Christ." "The believer is in Christ as Noah was enclosed within the ark, with the heavens darkening above him, and the waters heaving beneath him, yet not a drop of the flood penetrating his vessel, not a blast of the storm disturbing the serenity of his spirit. The believer is in Christ as Jacob was in the garment of the elder brother when Isaac kissed and blessed him. He is in Christ as the poor homicide was within the city of refuge when pursued by the avenger of blood, but who could not overtake and slay him" (Octavius Winslow, 1857). And because he is "in Christ" there is, therefore, no condemnation for him. Hallelujah! He that is in him (christ)sins not We are told that we should be careful how we build for our works will be tried by fire (our works can suffer loss) But I keep under body,and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means,when I have preached to other, I myself should be a cast easy. 1cor9:27 Believers can fall away/back slide if not watchful Once saved not necessarily always saved. Ask the prodigals son We must endure to the end. Edited April 1, 2020 by vic66 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Behold Posted April 1, 2020 Group: Mars Hill Followers: 7 Topic Count: 87 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 3,795 Content Per Day: 1.34 Reputation: 6 Days Won: 3 Joined: 07/30/2016 Status: Offline Share Posted April 1, 2020 (edited) 12 hours ago, vic66 said: He that is in him (christ)sins not We are told that we should be careful how we build for our works will be tried by fire (our works can suffer loss) But I keep under body,and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means,when I have preached to other, I myself should be a cast easy. 1cor9:27 Believers can fall away/back slide if not watchful Once saved not necessarily always saved. Ask the prodigals son We must endure to the end. Many believers have not been taught the difference between "discipleship" and "Salvation", and because they have not understood the distinction, they generally combine them as one and become theologically confused. Salvation and Discipleship are definitely not the same thing.. So, lets look at why they are DIFFERENT. WHY is Salvation, NOT the same as DISCIPLESHIP? How to understand the difference.... is to understand what each actually means in the life of a CHRISTIAN. Understand it like this... Salvation, is what God did for us on the Cross. Its all of God. Its God ALONE as Christ = giving - shedding His own Blood to pay for all of our sin so that we can by our Faith in JESUS alone, be accepted by God back INTO His eternal Family. God came, God Died, God Saves. And all of this is a eternal GIFT to anyone will will "believe on the Lord Jesus and you shall be SAVED . Its God laying down His own life for free, for the sin of the world, John 3:16, so that by this Gift we can ALL be accepted by Him, If we BELIEVE and are Born again. There is no other way to be saved then by the Savior dying for our sin and giving us His righteousness as "the gift of righteousness". We give God.our faith and God gives us the very righteousness of Christ and we are born again. --------- Discipleship, is anything you are trying to do for God AFTER you have been born again. YET, you can do these same things and NOT be born again. So what does that mean? It means that your religious effort, your good works, that are the commandment keeping, the going to church, the enduring to the end, the keeping the Torah, all the effort to stop sinning, the bible reading, ALL THESE DEEDS DEEDS DEEDS that you DO, are just you doing them by self effor. And you can do the exact same deeds, if you are not a Christian, or if you are a Christian,.... and in both cases, none of this will saved you. None of this will keep you saved. And most important to understand is , God will accept NONE of this to accept you. NONE OF IT. The only way God would accept your works to accept you, is if you were as Sinless As Christ, of yourself, while you are doing it.. Are you? No, you are not. See there is a REASON that Jesus is the SAVIOR and you are NOT. Understand? So you would have to be the sinless savior to be able to save yourself by your works. How long ago did you become a sinner in need a savior? You were what ?? ..about 8-12 yrs old? So, you were disqualified from being able to save yourself or keep yourself saved.........WAY BACK THEN. ! See it? ------------ Here is a question that you have to be able to answer, or you are not going to be able to realize that works are one thing, self effort is one thing, discipleship is all of THAT and nothing more, and not any of it that YOU DO can get you into heaven. = NONE OF IT. Here is the question. If your discipleship can save you and keep you saved, ... then WHY DID JESUS HAVE TO DIE ON A CROSS? WHY? WHY? Answer.) Because Only the BLOOD OF JESUS being shed on the CROSS can make you ACCEPTABLE TO GOD. Thats why.< ------------ God said......"My HOLY Son, my only begotten Virgin Born Son was killed/murdered-slain on a Cross to get you back into my family, so do not INSULT ME, do not insult my Holy Sprit, Do NOT insult my GRACE with your self righteous effort to try to do it for yourself by your WORKS - Discipleship". Galatians 1:8 Listen, reader, you can give you body to be burned for Jesus, and yet if you are not born again.. John 3:7. ..you have now burned here and then you are going to burn in the lake of FIRE after you died burning here. And why? Because GOD will not accept what you can do, as the way back to HIM. He only accepts what Jesus did for you on that Cross to accept you and KEEP YOU. The only WAY to be with GOD and stay with God forever , is .. John 14:6. Jesus said ; I Am THE WAY. Not A way, and not YOUR way. But ONLY He Himself on a Cross, shedding Holy Blood,= is GOD's only WAY to be SAVED and Accepted by God. --------- Listen Reader. God did not die on a cross to save you so that later you can try to keep yourself saved by YOUR SELF EFFORT...(Discipleship)......after he has already saved you by HIS OWN BLOOD. Understand? So, that is what you are doing as your own self righteous attempt to make yourself right with God, after HE ALONE is the only One who can do this FOR YOU< as the "gift of Salvation" if you believe that you can lose your salvation. Now, you are to live a life that pleases God at all times, and you are to stay that way, but that is not WHY God accepted you or keeps you. That is only what we are to do, as our personal lifestyle BECAUSE WE ARE ALREADY SAVED. Here is a simple analogy. If you are in the Army, Navy, Air Force,..... you had to sign up, after they accepted you, based on their evaluation. And after you are accepted they give you a UNIFORM, and this uniform is what you wear because you are accepted INTO the army. You can go and buy a uniform, and wear it, but if you are not accepted into the army, you wearing it is MEANINGLESS. And so it is with Salvation. You sign up for God's Army, for God's family, by your FAITH IN CHRIST that He evaluated and accepted to give you HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. And so, your discipleship that follows being SAVED, is just the uniform you wear that says...>"IM SAVED" "I belong to GOD". And yet, you can still wear that uniform and be as religious as any religious fanatic, but because you are not BORN AGAIN, all that wearing, all that discipleship, all that commandment keeping, all that enduring to the end, all that SELF EFFORT SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS........ is OF NO ETERNAL USE, as GOD DOES NOT ACCEPT YOU because of your works and He will NEVER EVER ! "you must be born again", and once you are, then God has accepted you based on that CROSS and He keeps you forever, based on that Cross. Edited April 2, 2020 by Behold 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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