Louisa Tarkington expressed the wish of millions when she wrote;

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1 The Truth About Salvation Now What? INTRODUCTION Someone has said that if the New Testament were a ring with many jewels, the book of Romans would be the largest and the most beautiful gem. On that gem, the most wondrous facet would be this 8th chapter. Romans chapter 8 is like the top of a majestic mountain peak, with the beautiful valleys 1-7 and 9-16 on either side. We have climbed to the top of a theological mountain; let s soak in the sites. Paul has concluded the 7th chapter with the cry that victorious Christian living can only come through the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. This whole chapter is like a commentary on John 5:24 (NLT) I assure you; those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have passed from death to life. Louisa Tarkington expressed the wish of millions when she wrote; I wish there some wonderful place Called the Land of Beginning Again Where all of our mistakes and heartaches And all of our poor selfish grief Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door And never put on again. Is there such a place? I believe there is In Jesus Christ you can begin again. In Christ you can have a fulfilled life If we look back on the slope we just climbed, we see the great theme of the book, the just shall live by faith. Justification is the act of God the Father whereby he counts our sins to be Christ s and Christ s righteousness to be ours (2 Corinthians 5:21). It is the opposite of condemnation (Romans 8:33-34). It implies deliverance from the curse of God because that curse was placed on Christ (Gal.3:11-13). It means forgiveness full and free (Rom. 4:6-8). It is God s free gift, the fruit of sovereign grace, and not in any way the result of human goodness or accomplishment (Rom. 3:24; 5:5; 8-9). It brings peace to the soul (Rom.5:1); a peace that passes all understanding. It fills the heart with such thanksgiving that it produces in the life of the believer a rich harvest of good works. Hence, justification and sanctification, though ever distinct, are never separate but stand in the closest possible relation to each other (William Hendriksen; 1&2 Timothy & Titus p.393 Baker, 1989). How is the miserable sinner saved? We are justified by the Lord Jesus Christ. What happens after the sinner is saved? The answer is sanctification. Here in this chapter Paul asks and answers the question; Will the sinner remain saved? Paul s answer for for the concerned saint is preservation by the Holy Spirit. Paul mentioned the Holy Spirit in passing some 4 thus far. Now in the 8th chapter of Romans Paul will either directly or indirectly refer to the Holy Spirit 19 times The book of Romans is a book about salvation. This chapter brings salvation into a sharp and clear focus. If you ever wanted to know the truth about salvation here it is We have been made alive by the Holy Spirit We have assurance, confidence, security. The perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ redirects God s wrath and frees the sinner from 1

2 The Truth About Salvation Now What? judgment. The perfect sanctification of the Holy Spirit insures that work begun by Jesus will continue and remain. This is an amazing truth; we are saved by grace alone through faith alone. We are kept by faith. Having begun in the Spirit we cannot be made whole or perfect or complete by some system of self-preservation (that is works based righteousness). The Spirit of God is the agent of preservation. The Holy Spirit declares us Not Guilty (). The Holy Spirit then imparts New Life (Romans 8:5-17). The Holy s Spirit s obligation is to Never Leave (Romans 8:18-39). We can divide this chapter into three basic headings: The Holy Spirit s Declaration: Not Guilty The Holy Spirit s Impartation: New Life Romans 8:5-17 The Holy Spirit s Obligation: Never Leave Romans 8:18-39 If you are not guilty; if you have new life; and if that new life is kept, sustained, maintained by the Holy Spirit; what does that mean for you? Security. Confidence. Wholeness, assurance, protection, freedom from doubt In Wilmington s Guide to the Bible, the author gives seven reasons why the believer will remain secure in God s glorious salvation(1) The believer has a new position. The Christian is in Christ (Rom. 8:1-4). Wilmington makes this note: We observe Paul does not say there is no fault, or sin, or imperfection, but no condemnation (emphasis in the original). We also observe the time element it is now no condemnation. (2) The believer has a new guest: The Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:5-13). (3) Christians have a new adoption. We are adopted by the Father (Rom. 8:14-17). (4) We have a new expectation (Rom. 8:18-25). That is the full and final redemption of all creation. This includes the Christian (a new body) and the Creation. (5) We have a new prayer-helper (Rom.8:26-27). (6) We have new knowledge (Rom.8:28). (7) We have new goals (Rom. 8:29-39). You won t be condemned for sin (v.1). You need not be controlled by sin (v.2) You better not continue in sin (vv.3-4). You Won t Be Condemned For Sin (v.1) Romans 8:1 4 (NKJV)1There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Each word in the passage deserves careful consideration. The Spirit-filled life is only possible in the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore refers back to chapters 1-7. In light of the hopeless condition of humanity apart from Jesus Christ therefore if we are to have any hope whatsoever because of our sins and lost condition we must find the solution in Jesus Christ. There are about a dozen Greek words translated now in our English New Testament. Some of them are merely resumptive in other words. Here the Greek word is nun. It means now in time at the present time as opposed to the past or the future. Here the emphasis is on the fact you do not have to wait until you get to heaven to know whether or not you are going to make it to heaven. Freedom from condemnation is not an experience that can be enjoyed in this life (Ralph Earle Word Meanings in the New Testament; p. 174). What does the expression no condemnation mean? Condemnation is the judicial pronouncement of guilt. The Greek word is katakrima. The simple term krima means judgment. Katakrima is translated condemned in Mark 16:16 and judge in Romans 14:13. 2

3 The Truth About Salvation Now What? There is guilt and condemnation under the law. Remember the believer has a new relationship to the law. Believer s and no longer under the divine death sentence for sins and crimes against God. We no longer qualify for judgment; we are in Christ. We are free. The law cannot claim you (v.2). Jesus told us in John 3:16 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. The word perish means ruined or lost. He who believes in Him is not condemned (John 3:18). Most assuredly, I say to you he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life (John 5:24). Have you ever thought or dared to say out loud; I could go to hell for that. The Christian cannot go to hell. Do you realize every rotten, filthy, sinful, horrible, inexcusable, unbelievable thing you have ever done will not sentence you to hell? There are no conditions attached to our freedom from condemnation; grace writes an unconditional guarantee (Phillips p.122). We have more than freedom from God s wrath and judgment, we have a positive justification for life. Christians can and do fail, but there is no condemnation. Deliverance from divine condemnation does not mean deliverance from divine discipline. For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom he receives (Heb.12:6). Nor does deliverance from God s condemnation mean escape from accountability to Him: Do not be deceived. God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap (Gal. 6:7) (MacArthur; p.400). to those who are in Christ Jesus What does that mean? The expression is used some 40 times in the New Testament. When we turn to Christ and receive Christ we are in Christ. The Old Testament gives us an excellent illustration. Think about Noah. Noah was instructed by God to build an Ark to escape judgment. Then an invitation was extended. Come thou and all thy house into the Ark (Gen.7:1). Now, the ark was pitched within and without with pitch ; the Hebrew word for pitch is the identical word used elsewhere for atonement. Between the saved in the ark and the waters of judgement without was the hew wood and pitch. Once Noah and his family were safely in the ark, we read that the Lord shut him in (Gen.7:16) (John Phillips p.122). This is complete assurance and security. The Lord doesn t say, Dude, make sure you put some seat belts in you chairs, hold on for dear life, because the storm of judgment outside is going to pretty much destroy the whole earth, Take eight nails, drive them into outside of the ark and hold on for dear life. So long as you and your family hold on you will be saved but let go and you are pretty much lost. NO. God Shut Them In. What the Ark meant for Noah Jesus means for the believer. Noah was in the Ark. We are in Christ Jesus. Think about it. God has placed us in a sphere where His wrath can never reach us and we are secure but we are only secure as Christ can make us 3

4 The Truth About Salvation Now What? Millions of Christians wonder if they have said something or done something that disqualified them from heave. But they fail to remember what qualified them in the first place The Lord Jesus Christ. You Need Not Be Controlled By Sin (v.2) 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. The Law cannot claim you. The Law is a given principle that acts in a consistent way. The Law of sin and death has been described in Romans 7:7-25. The Law no longer has jurisdiction (this is the power or right of a court or authority to try or hear a matter) over you because you are dead to the law (Rom.7:4). We need not be controlled by sin. You do not need to be controlled by sin. You can be controlled by the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. The Lord has made it possible for each of us to live a holy life by giving us the Holy Spirit. Sin has been condemned in the flesh (though not removed). Paul is telling us there is a higher law and greater power at work in you Most of us are familiar with the law of gravity. Heavy objects are pulled to the earth. When a plane takes off, it defies the law of gravity, by another law the law of energy, thrust and displacement. The plane is at the mercy of gravity when the laws of energy, thrust and displacement are not in effect. The plane will not fly, if the engines are not on and if their is not a sufficient amount of fuel on the plane. The Spirit of Life means you need not be dead. That is dead to God and the things of God. Many of you know the names of God reveal something about the nature and character of God. God the Father and God the Son have many names or titles that speak of awesome power and awesome character. The same is true of God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is called The Spirit of Truth (John 14:17); we need not be deceived; the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Faith (2 Corinthians 4:13); for that reason we need not be discouraged; the Spirit of Grace (Heb. 10:29); for that reason we need not be disgruntled. The Spirit of Holiness (Rom.1:4); we should never be defiled. The Spirit of a Sound Mind (2Tim. 1:7); we need not be disturbed. You Better Not Continue In Sin (vv.3-4) 3For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4

5 The Truth About Salvation Now What? 4that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. But can the law condemn you? The answer is no. Because Jesus was already condemned on the Cross of Calvary. The Law cannot save you (all are guilty; none righteous etc). The Law can condemn those who reject forgiveness and freedom in Christ by rejecting Christ. The sinner who rejects Christ embraces the Law even though the sinner might want to reject both Christ and the Law. This is one of the reasons God sent Jesus to die on the Cross; to do for the sinner what the sinner could not do for himself or herself. To liberate us from our sin. Jesus did not come simply as a spirit being or celestial visitor (angel) or the reincarnation of some divine essence. Jesus came as man. Think about it: The law of double jeopardy states that a man cannot be tried twice for the same crime. Since Jesus paid the penalty for your sins, and since you are in Christ ; God will not condemn you (Wiersbe p.539). Paul argues; we are eternally free (v.1); internally free (v.2); positionally perfect (vv.3-4). What human beings could not do God did in Christ; that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Consequently, we who trust in Christ for our salvation are given the perfect righteousness we could not otherwise obtain. Of course, this does not mean that we are no sinless. The book of Romans teaches just the opposite (see 6:12-14; 7:14-25). But it does mean that since we are in God s righteous Son, we are positionally perfect. The Lord sees us through Christ and therefore declares us righteous. But he also knows that our actual condition does not yet match or theological position. That s why He exhorts us to move toward holiness in the power of the Holy Spirit. He assumes as a fact that we are already walking according to the Spirit. We really have no choice in the matter. If we are believers, then the Holy Spirit has already begun to transform us according to the divine standard of holiness (Charles Swindoll; p.22; Learning to Walk by Grace; chapters 6-13). CONCLUSION You have been given pardon from sin. You have been given power to overcome sin. You have been given perspective to distance yourself from sin. Forgive others. Believe God s Word. Appropriate the power of the Holy Spirit and fight the good fight. 5

6 The Truth About Salvation Now What? Millions of people live in fear that their past will return to haunt them. When you are in Christ your sins are forgiven. Does God always free us from all the effects of the past? No. But the ultimate penalty, death and hell have been removed. I believe Jesus Christ can help put fear and guilt and disappointment behind you. Jesus can by the power of the Holy Spirit remove the ball and chain of the past that many carry around. What will you allow God to do in your life? Robert Fulghum in his book All I Really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten told how in October when he was a child he and his friends would play hide-and seek under the leaves. There was always one kid who hid so well nobody could find him. Eventually, the others gave up on him. When he finally showed up, they would explain to him that there is hiding and there is finding, and he was not to hide in such a way that he could not be found. Fulghum continues: As I write this, the neighborhood game goes on, and there is a kid under a pile of leaves in the yard just under my window. He has been there a long time now, and everybody else is found and they are about to give up on him over at the base. I considered going out to the base and telling them where he is hiding. And I thought about setting the leaves on fire to drive him out. Finally, I just yelled, Get Found Kid out the window. And scared him so bad he probably...started crying and ran home to tell his mother. It s real hard to know how to be helpful sometimes (quoted in Putting Your Past Behind You, Moody Press 1997; Erwin Lutzer pp,32-33). Have you been playing a kind of grown up version of hide and seek from God? Have you arranged the stack of leaves in the most clever fashion, hiding in your private hell of doubt, and fear, uncertainty, un-forgiveness and powerlessness? David had to come to grips with his own issues; Psalm 139:1-3; O Lord, you have examined by heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you where I am (NLT). 6