No Condemnation

For those who are in Christ and feeling defeated over sin today ... 

Why is the whole world under the power of the evil one? Why are so many people discouraged when they look at themselves? Because the devil has got something on everyone. The devil is the slanderer and accuser and at any moment he can point the finger and say, "Look at what you did," and there's nothing that can be said in reply. But not so with the Christian. When Satan points his finger at us and says, "Gotcha!" We point our finger at the cross and say, "Gotcha!" When Satan reminds us of what we did, we remind Satan of what Christ did. This is how we resist the devil. By resisting self-righteousness and receiving Christ's righteousness. By resisting the urge to condemn ourselves and embracing the message of the cross. What's the message of the cross? 

There is NO condemnation for us right now because ALL of the condemnation we'll ever deserve already fell upon Jesus at the cross. There's not one drop of judgment against us that Christ didn't drink. God didn't overlook any of our sins. No, not a single one (past, present, or future) went unpunished. He willingly took the punishment for ALL of them in Jesus. God died for us so that we might die to self-righteousness. God rose for us that we might live in the joyful freedom of complete forgiveness and fellowship with Him.

What would happen if this truth was let loose and people deeply and daily believed it? What would happen? True revival and reformation. Dead men would become alive. Discouraged men would rise up and walk. That's what would happen. Look at the cross and the empty tomb today and live. 

"There is therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1