----- Original Message -----
From: Thomas McVicar
To: elainemcvicar7@hotmail.com
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 2:37 PM
Subject: No Condemnation - Rom. 8 v 1
Romans 8 v 1.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus.
CONDEMNATION
There is a practice among some people based on Freudian Psychology to take people back to the past and then seek to eliminate the problem as they see it. This practice is being used by some parts of the Christian church as an excuse to examine people for Church Membership, with all sorts of questions being asked about behaviour before salvation. It is simply to my mind unscriptural and positively dangerous. The bible is clear about our past. The Lord says, “your sins and iniquities I will remember no more.”
To the woman taken in adultery, the Lord looked around at those who had accused her, and quietly said, “let him without sin cast the first stone.” The interesting thing was, no one stepped forward. They all shuffled away like the cowardly curs they were. Then the Lord said, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”
Luke 15 v 11.
The Parable of the lost son. The prodigal deserved condemnation, note,
1. He demanded his inheritance.
2. Left home; probably against all advice.
3. He embraced a lifestyle which was licentious in the extreme (v.30) squandered
the money on prostitutes.
4. He broke the Jewish law working with pigs (unclean animals)
5. He let the family down.
Notice the repentant spirit. The turning round. The acknowledgement of sin. The humble spirit.
Notice - The Father.
Waiting, Longing, In Love.
V.22. The repentance was short.
V.22. The Sonship was sure.
Hymn 33 says - No condemnation now I dread, Jesus and all in Him is mine, Alive in Him my living head, and clothed in righteousness divine. Bold I approach the eternal throne and claim the crown through Christ my own.
No recriminations, no holding of bad feelings, because God hates the sin and loves the sinner. To be away from God the Father is to be lost. It is to be dead in trespass and sin, but when we return like the prodigal, we become alive to God, and are found in Him. The past is consigned to the rubbish bin, along with the rags of sin we wore when we came to Christ. Rubbish bins are for pigs and those who ruminate in them, raking through the old clothes deserve to be left there. Stick with the new robes of righteousness that Christ gives. Let the critics have the old clothes; they ain’t going anywhere.
To-day there is a danger of people finding out all sorts of things from your domestic rubbish, so shred all your financial documents. That is a good illustration of what God does, He places our sins into the deepest sea, and chooses to forget them. A bit like shredding, never to be seen again.
Romans 8 v 3l. Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen. (Answer) Nobody, it is God who justified.
Who is he that condemns - No-one for Christ is our intercessor.
V. 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ. Answer - nobody.
V.38. Read, The ultimate accuser of the brethren is the devil himself, and the overcoming Redeemer is our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is He who defeated death. It is He who is risen from the tomb. It is He who is seated at the right hand of God.
My past is forgiven, my present is secure, and the my future certain. Because He is my Lord and Saviour.
Condemnation comes from carnal people. It will come, make no mistake. Condemnation is a sign of an ungodly nature.
References & Warnings against judgmental and condemnatory behaviour.
Matt. 7 vs 1 – 5. Luke 18 vs 9 – 14. John 8 vs 3 – 11. Romans 14 vs 1 – 4 & 9 – 13.
Isaiah 50 vs 8 – 11. Talks of God’s protection when we are being falsely condemned.
V.8. says, “He who vindicates me is near.” The Lord will not allow those who accuse us wrongly, to live free from the accusations of God.
Hymn 975. When satan tempts me to despair, and tells me of the guilt within, Upwards I look and see Him there, Who made and end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Saviour died, My sinful soul is counted free, for God the just is satisfied, To look on Him and pardon me. To look on Him and pardon me.
The past is something we leave behind, with a sign erected, NO FISHING. Jesus set us free from the past, 2 Cor. 5 v 17. Isa. 65 v 16. Gal. 4 vs 3 -5. Col.l vs 13 & 14.
Hymn No. 773 - With Harps and with vials there stands a great throng.
2nd verse. All these once were sinners defiled in His sight, Now arrayed in pure garments in praise they unite. Unto Him who has loved us and washed us from sin, unto Him be the glory forever, amen.
Romans 8 v 18. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. We remember the past, but never return to it, or dwell in its sins, nor do we allow others to take us back amongst the “The pigs’ swill”. We have returned to the Father’s home and it is there that we rejoice in the marvellous grace of God and exalt in His wonderful love and mercy, filled by His Holy Spirit and keeping no record of wrongs. 1 Cor. 13 v 4., as we rejoice in His great mercy and love
Phil. 3 vs 7 – 14. Paul says, v.8. What is more I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I might gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
Isaiah 43 v 25. I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My Own Sake. And remember your sins no more.
Isaiah. 40 vs 9 – 11.
To those who accuse God’s saints, we point to hands that were pierced for us.
We point to the feet into which cruel nails were driven. To a side where blood and water poured forth. To a brow pierced by thorns, in mockery of the one, who is King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords.
Ask them to read Isaiah 53 vs 1 – 6. Notice the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all, and by His wounds we are healed.
Acts 10 vs 9 – 15. When Peter was confronted with God’s plan for the church he sent him a vision of what would have been unclean things for him as a jew. To Peter, Gentiles were sinners – pigs, unworthy of God’s blessing. Cornelius would be a shock to him. Could it be that God wanted to save even Gentile sinners. God said this to Peter in a dream. V.15 – Do not call anything impure that God has made clean. Some people might call you impure, but God, through Christ, has cleansed you from your sins.
Hebrews 10 v 10. And by that will we have been made Holy, through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ. Once for all.
Hebrews 10 v 13. Because by one sacrifice, He has made perfect forever those who are being made Holy. See also Eph. 2 vs 14 – 22. Eph. 3 vs 14 – 21.
Closing Prayer. Lord we thank you that when we are born again, we are accepted by you, never ever to be rejected. Thank you for your great love towards us in Christ, in Jesus name. AMEN.
Romans 8 v 1. Therefore there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
Rev. Tom McVicar
Maybole Baptist Church
2nd October, 2005
