Stealing the Ground of our Hope

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”
--Romans 8:1-2

When I think of condemnation, my mind quickly considers the words “regret,” “failure,” “defeat,” or other words that closely match despair. Many of us have made unwise decisions over the years, and as a result, we feel regret. We have lost hope, and our faith feels shattered. We contemplate questions such as “what if I….” or “If I only….finish the sentence. While it is completely natural to do this and to wish our decisions were better, the place God wants us to be is to embrace no condemnation.

Some words immediately become the center stage of our devotional thought. Words help us to evaluate meaning and place emphasis on particular thoughts and direction. They are useful in aiding our interpretation of a Biblical passage.

 

The first Greek word in the sentence is ouden. The word means “no, not even one, or none”. It is a word that emphasizes and is the first word in the Greek sentence, but it is not clearly visible in our English text. It is a positive statement for us regarding our position in Christ. Something new has happened for the child of God that we need to embrace.

A second word concept is “therefore,” which tells us to consider the previous verses. It simply reminds the reader to consider the previous sentences and thoughts before moving forward. Here, in Romans 8, the “therefore” directs our consideration of previous verses (7:14-25). What does he reveal to us? Paul states that his life was messed up. It fights against what is right and does the opposite of what he desires. He says in verse 15 that his actions are unexplainable, in that he is unable to explain why he does certain things. He says in verse 17 that sin dwells in him. Big problem that we all have! He is unable to do what is right. Now we see why Paul is excited in chapter 8. He understands the depth of his own inability and sees what sin has done to him. Yet, he does not forget about the amazing hope in Christ’s work.

A third concept is condemnation. It comes from the Greek word katakrima, which appears only three times in his writing (Romans 5:16, 18; Romans 8:1). The word shows us our condition before God. We are punished, doomed, or left out/abandoned. Katakrima is used in a forensic context, or, better to say, it is a legal term that identifies the charges levied against us. The word connects the thought of chapter 7 with our new foundation in Christ.

A fourth phrase, 'in Christ,' brings considerable hope for us to consider. The phrase immediately leaps out … “for those who are in Christ Jesus.” What an exclamation of praise for the believer. In Greek class, I learned that prepositional phrases are really important in understanding the flow of thought. Here, the prepositional phrase in must be highlighted. It shows us where forgiveness comes from. 

In order for us to hope in God, we must be forgiven in Christ. It tells me that I am connected to something new. What was old is now taken away. I have a fresh new outlook because I am connected to Christ. Faith is that tangible expression which we cling to and identify with in the Person of Jesus.

Hope does not forget who we are, but rather presses us forward to embrace a new identity in Christ. It tells us to remember, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Who rescues us? In Christ by the Spirit of life is the agent of change. 

We are freed from hopeless despair by clinging to what is good---Christ our Lord. Our chains are gone, and we have been set free was what aroused Charles Wesley to express in beautiful words in the old hymn, 

And Can it Be that I Should Gain¸

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night.
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray:
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light!
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
 

Hope sets sinners free and gives us the ability to love God, say no to sin, and follow him all the days of our lives. It teaches us that sin is serious, but our freedom from the law of sin and death is now made new through the life of the Spirit. The Spirit sets us free to live no longer in despair, anguish, and self-condemnation, but provides the guard that we need, saying “no, not even one, none” are doomed if they are in Christ. Condemnation only robs God’s glory of securing salvation in His Son and its confirmation by the Holy Spirit. Live Free not in self, but in Christ—our new identity.

 
Rooted In Grace
Pastor Joel Badal
© January 12, 2011