It seems these days we have heard about some cases where someone had been found guilty of some crime, and then through DNA testing had been found innocent. Imagine what that must have felt like. The entire world had condemned you, a court of law had condemned you, but then against all odds and against all hope you have been found innocent. You were exonerated, cleared of all charges, and set free. That would merit a celebration, would it not? I want to point out that according to God’s Word that was the situation with those who are in Christ Jesus. We were guilty, had been found guilty, and had been condemned, but in Jesus Christ we have found forgiveness and we are no longer condemned. That merits some spiritual celebrating, right? If that is the case, then why are so many followers of Christ walking around acting as if they are still enslaved and still under the bondage and mastery of sin? Rather than walking forward in the victory Jesus has promised they are surrendering in defeat.
According to the Bible, that is not God’s plan for His people. The abundant life Jesus promised doesn’t come by laying down in defeat, but rather that abundant life comes when we by faith rise up, get going, trust Jesus, and start acting like conquerors and over-comers. I look around and I see followers of Jesus Christ cowering in fear, and you know something? I have done that myself – too many times. The over-arching theme of God’s grace in the Bible is spiritual victory over that which enslaves us. What did the Lord say in John 10:10? He said that He has come that we might have life and have it more abundantly. That abundant life means spiritual victory.
The Scripture says that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The Lord has liberated us from the condemnation that once enslaved us. Consider that the one who has been condemned is enslaved. He must remain where he is awaiting execution. What a sad, lonely, and terrible existence that would be. And that is what it is; existing and not living. The one who exists under the condemnation of the world is robbed of life and freedom; how much more the one who has been condemned before God? Such condemnation carries with it eternal consequences – once a person dies it is all over. There will be no going back and trying to make things right. That time will have passed. But in Jesus Christ we have been liberated from the condemnation that results from sin.
Having been liberated in Christ, let us know seek to go forward in faith, not backwards. Christ has called us to move forward into the abundant and blessed life that has been promised by God. Resolve to no longer lie down in defeat, but rather rise up in victory.
A brighter day is waiting. New life is waiting in Jesus Christ. Trust in Him today.
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