NO CONDEMNATION
I. THE PHENOMENAL REALITY - ‘THERE IS NOW NO CONDEMNATION’
v.1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
1. The Perfection of Justification
No Condemnation - The unsaved are condemned already (see John 3:18 whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son).
2. THE PRESENT TENSE OF JUSTIFICATION
Now no condemnation
3. The Provider of Justification
now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
II. THE PERFECT REASON -
v.2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
1. THE REASON – A SUPERIOR LAW
The Law of sin and death – the old life centred in self.
The law of the Spirit of life – the new life in Christ Jesus
2. THE RESULT – SET FREE
The ‘Old Law’ has no claim on us – we are set free
Free – not to please ourselves, but
Free to respond to the new Law – The Law of Life.
(See Romans 6:16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey— whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey— whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?
III. THE PRINCIPAL ROOT
v.3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,
1. THE INABILITY OF SELF
The sinful nature is weak, constantly breaking the old law
2. THE PLAN OF GOD
Sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man – made like us!
3. THE TRANSFER OF CONDEMNATION
To be a sin offering
Sin reigned in our flesh – condemnation, but
Sin condemned through Christ’s flesh
i.e. by His perfect life and atoning death.
IV. THE PRACTICAL RESOLUTION
v.4 And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
1. RIGHTEOUSNESS FULFILLED
God’s intention is for us to live righteous lives. (who do not live according to the sinful nature).
See Romans 6:13-14 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
2. WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
but according to the Spirit.
No longer walking after the ways of the old nature, but now walking according to the Spirit – through our union with Christ! There is now a greater power in our lives, it is the Holy Spirit who will control our sinful nature by bringing life and power and deliverance through the life of Christ in us.
