Therefore, there is 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
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.
In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Scripture is God's message to mankind that He is a God of grace and truth.
In the apostle Paul's letter to those in Rome, this truth is communicated with beauty and force. Speaking to a world that stands condemned before God, Paul says flat out "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
That bears repeating. "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
The words are so uncomplicated and straightforward; it's easy to let their liberating truth slip by. "Condemnation" and "Christian" are two words -- by God's grace -- that are perfectly and eternally mutually exclusive.
Sad to say, however, Christians often carry a ponderous millstone of condemnation around their necks as they believe -- then seemingly forget -- they have God's complete pardon through the sinless life and all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ for their sins. It's a pardon God has guaranteed by raising His Son from the dead.
When you feel condemned by the world or from a self-inflicted spiritual beating, remember Paul's words in another letter he wrote, this time to the church at Corinth: "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:56-57).
THE PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for that which You alone can provide: victory over sin, death and the devil. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son and our Lord, we have triumphed over the spiritual powers of darkness that would condemn us. Remind us that we are more than conquerors. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
Biography of Author: This devotion is based on a text submitted by a volunteer with Lutheran Hour Ministries-Latvia. From its office in Riga, LHM-Latvia has been serving this East European nation for nearly 20 years. Using Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), Equipping the Saints (ETS), and radio broadcasts, LHM-Latvia connects with adults and children through its varied work of sharing the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
Today's Bible Readings: Zechariah 9-10 Revelation 1
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