Louisa Tarkington expressed the wish of millions when she wrote: Is there such a place? I believe there is! In Jesus you can begin again.

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1 Introduction Are you saved? I remember someone asking me that question before I became a Christian. I answered, Saved from what? Saved from Hell, redeemed from slavery, liberation from sin, deliverance from demonic manipulation, release, reprieve, escape, rescue, conversion, rebirth, regeneration, hope, forgiveness, and acceptance, deliverance from the wrath of a holy and righteous and perfect God. Are you in Christ Jesus? Saved! You know? I had no idea what the question really meant! Louisa Tarkington expressed the wish of millions when she wrote: I wish there were 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 you can begin again. 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 8 th chapter. Romans chapter 8 is like the top of a majestic mountain peak, with the beautiful valleys of chapters 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 7 th chapter with the cry that victorious Christian living can only come through the person of Jesus Christ. This whole chapter is a like a commentary on John 5:24; 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 already passed from death into 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 that act of God the Father whereby he counts our sins to be Christ s and Christ s righteousness to be ours (II Corinthians 5:21). It is the opposite of condemnation (Rom.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 1

2 in the closest possible relation to each other (William Hendriksen, 1& 2 Timothy & Titus p.393 Baker, 1989). How is a sinner saved? The answer: we are justified by the Lord Jesus Christ. Well then, what happens after a sinner is saved? The answer: sanctification. Here in this chapter Paul asks and answers the question, will the sinner remain saved? The answer: preservation by the Holy Spirit. Paul has mentioned the Holy Spirit in passing some 4 times so far in the book of Romans. Now in the 8 th chapter of the book Paul will either directly on indirectly refer to the Holy Spirit 19 times. The book of Romans is a book about salvation. This chapter brings that salvation into sharp and clear focus. If ever you 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 judgment. The perfect sanctification of the Holy Spirit insures that work begun by Jesus will remain by the Holy Spirit. This is an amazing truth; we are saved by grace through faith. We are kept by faith. Having begun in the Spirit we cannot be made whole, or perfect by a system of selfpreservation (made perfect by the flesh). The Spirit of God is that preserving Agent. The Holy Spirit declares us NOT GUILTY (). The Holy Spirit then imparts NEW LIFE (Romans 8:5-17). The Holy Spirit s obligation is to NEVER LEAVE (Romans 8:18-39). We can divide this chapter into three basic headings: (1) The Holy Spirit s DECLARATION not guilty (Rom.8:1-4). (2) The Holy Spirit s IMPARTATION new life (Rom.8:5-17) (3) The Holy Spirit s OBLIGATION never leave (Rom. 8:18-39). If you re 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 reason s 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). He then 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) 2

3 You Better Not Continue In Sin (vv.3-4) You Won t Be Condemned For Sin (v.1) Romans 8:1 (NLT) 1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 There 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 (NKJV). 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 our lost condition we must find the solution in Jesus Christ. There are about a dozen Greek words which are translated now in our English New Testaments. Some of them are merely resumptive in other words. Here the Greek word is nun. It means 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 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 means 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 Romans 14:13). There is guilt and condemnation under the law. Remember the believer has a new relationship to the law. Believer s are not under the divine and eternal death sentence. We no longer qualify for judgment; because we are in Christ Jesus. We are free from the inside (internal). 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 and lost. He who believes in Him is not condemned (Jn.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. Have you ever said or thought, 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 do sin and 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 3

4 whom he receives (Heb.12:6). Nor does deliverance from God s condemnation mean escape from our 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). 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 and interestingly enough, the Hebrew word for pitch is the identical word used elsewhere for atonement. Between the saved in the ark and the waters of judgment without was the hewn wood and the 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 your chairs, hold on for dear life, because the storm of judgment outside you 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 this is what Jesus means to us. 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!!! Millions of Christians wonder if they have said something or done something that disqualified them from heaven. But they failed to remember what qualified them in the first place! Jesus Christ the Lord! You Need Not Be Controlled By Sin (v.2) Romans 8:2 (NKJV) 2 For 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 do not need to 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 life a holy life by giving us the Holy Spirit. Sin has been condemned in the flesh (though it has not been removed). Paul is telling us there is a higher law at work in you! 4

5 Most of you 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 sufficient fuel is not in place. The Spirit of Life means you should never 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. El, or Elah or Elohim. El means God, El Shaddai means almighty God, El Elyon means most High God. El Olam means everlasting God. Jesus has many titles in the scripture, the lion of Judah, the lamb of God, the alpha and the omega, the Prince of Peace. But have you ever considered the names of the Holy Spirit in Scripture? The Holy Spirit is called The Spirit of Truth (John 14:17). We should never be deceived! The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Faith (2 Cor. 4:13). We should never be discouraged. The Spirit of Grace (Heb.10:29). We should never be disgruntled. The Spirit of Holiness (Rom.1:4). We should never be defiled. The Spirit of Power (2 Tim.1:7). We should never be defeated. The Spirit of a Sound Mind (2 Tim.1:7). We should never be disturbed. You Better Not Continue In Sin (vv.3-4) Romans 8:3-4 (NKJV) 3 For 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 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. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. But can the law condemn you? The answer is no! Because Jesus Christ was already condemned on the cross of Calvary. The law cannot save you. The law can condemn those who reject Christ. This is the reason God sent Jesus to die; to do what the law could not do; liberate us from our sin. Jesus did not come as a celestial visitor (angel) or the reincarnation of some divine essence, he came as a man. Think about it: The law of double jeopardy states that a man cannot be tried twice for the same crime. Since Jesus Christ paid the penalty for your sins, and since you are in Christ, God will not condemn you (Wiersbe p.539). Paul reminds us that we have assurance on the outside and inside, we are in the perfect position because God has done it all for us. Are you a Christian? Then you have assurance, confidence, you are internally free, in Christ, perfect. 5

6 For the Christian the law of the Spirit of life, helps us overcome the law of sin and death. Jesus came in the flesh. Jesus is unique. He was a human being and God. One person with two natures. Jesus was really human. He lived in a human body for about 33 years without ever sinning not once not in thought, word or deed. Jesus life was a condemnation of sin in the flesh. Jesus did not live a perfect life simply as an example for human beings. Jesus life condemns us. Jesus life does not save us Jesus death saves us. The four Gospels are unanimous in their presentation of Christ s death as our means of salvation. Jesus demonstrated the possibility of God s law being fulfilled in a human life, a life lived in the flesh in a human body. Through the miracle of Christ s indwelling the believer, the life that Jesus lived can now be reproduced in us by His Spirit! It is not reproduced by us, but in us if we walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit (John Phillips p.124). 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, fight the good fight. 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 has 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 of you carry around with you. Thousands of people can testify of what God can do if you will let Him. 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). 6

7 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 the private hell, of doubt, fear, uncertainty, unforgivenss, powerlessness. David had to come to grips- Psalm 139:1-3 (NLT) 1 For the choir director: A psalm of David.O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. 3 You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. Revelation 22:17 (NLT) 17 The Spirit and the bride say, Come. Let each one who hears them say, Come. Let the thirsty ones come anyone who wants to. Let them come and drink the water of life without charge. 7