There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. (Rom. 8:1-2)
It’s July 4, 1776. British troops occupy American soil. Right under their noses, the Second Continental Congress secretly assembles in Philadelphia to adopt Thomas Jefferson’s now-renowned Declaration of Independence, officially proclaiming the 13 fledgling American colonies’ break from British rule.
Within the next several months a total of 56 men sign their name to this document, not knowing what the outcome would be. What they did know, however, was that if they didn’t hang together and pull this off, they would surely hang separately for treason.
War ensued, and tens of thousands of precious lives were sacrificed to secure that freedom for those 13 original colonies – a freedom that, thank God, we still enjoy and celebrate today.
America’s hard-won victory over Britain was an amazing feat, to be sure. But it can’t compare to God’s own Declaration of Independence, signed with the blood of His Beloved Son.
Even before the foundation of the world was laid, God ordained the ultimate declaration of independence for mankind – liberation from eternal death and damnation – a freedom that demanded the slaying of God’s spotless Lamb.
And though the battle between good and evil rages still, the outcome is certain. Once God gathers all those who belong with Him into His army, Satan and all his forces will suffer their ultimate defeat.
That’s when those whose names are recorded on God’s official document – the Lamb’s Book of Life – will experience what it means to be forever liberated from the tyrannical oppression of sin and death.
As Americans, we enjoy a temporary social and political freedom. But as a child of God, we can experience a true and everlasting freedom from the condemnation of sin that has occupied the world since time began.
This independence was declared and secured by God Himself in eternity past for those who believe and accept the price of freedom paid by the precious blood of the Lamb.
Does that include you? Have you been set free?
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My Almighty Father,
How often do I surrender to temptation, when victory over sin has already been won? How often do I forget that as a child of God, your Spirit is alive and well within me, seeking opportunities to demonstrate Your power through me? Open my eyes to see redemption from Your perspective, so I live in such a way that the “Spirit of life” and victory over sin is demonstrated through me daily.
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38-39 NIV)
You signed, sealed and delivered my independence by the death and resurrection of Your Son. If I understand what that really means, then I also must understand that a “defeated” Christian is an oxymoron! Help me grasp the significance of the truth that I live now and forever free from the condemnation of sin. You have permanently erased my death sentence, and the Spirit of life in me now is surety for life eternal in Your presence.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. (Rom. 8:1-2)
It’s easy to enjoy freedom – and even take it for granted – while forgetting the enormous cost of countless lives lost on the battlefields around the globe to secure that freedom. But as valuable a truth as that is, it is nothing when compared to the price that was paid to secure my eternal freedom – the precious blood of Your prized Lamb, Your only Son. May I never take for granted what You have done for me.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)
- Lord, I am in Christ and in You. I have union with Christ by faith and therefore an interest in His merits (Rom. 8:1, Phil. 3:9). By faith You engraft me into Christ, and I by faith put on Christ, and so I am justified in Your sight because of the merits of His work of redemption.
- Lord, Your Spirit ministers to me in so many ways: in my justification and regeneration, in governing my actions, in comforting and strengthening me, in bearing witness with me and thereby assuring me that I am Your child, in reproving me and assisting me in good works, in bringing Scripture to my remembrance, and even interceding for me with groans that are unutterable.
- O Lord, You promise to hear all those that faithfully call on You and not to reject any that humble themselves before You. I intreat You, in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ, that You be merciful to me, your poor servant. O Lord, pardon and blot out of Your remembrance whatever sins I have committed against You throughout the course of my life. Seal and confirm this by Your Spirit that I may with all joy depart this life with assurance. Assure me that there is no condemnation to those which are united with Christ by faith.
- Lord, I long for the day of resurrection when I will be raised again, but not to judgement. For as I resolve to follow Christ, I will not suffer condemnation. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus: for I shall be raised to life and salvation. He that believes on the name of the Son of God has life in himself and shall live through Christ.
Further References for Romans 8:1-2
Ps. 119:45; Isa. 61:1; Luke 4:18; Rom. 6:22; 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 5:1,13-14; Col. 1:21-22; 1 Pet. 2:16.
