Today we continue in Chapter 3, the Platform of Grace. And what a platform Lord Jesus has provided! Let’s read on…
Yet from Paul’s desperate cry, he moves us immediately toward the first step of finding freedom, not only from guilt itself, but from the very habits and traits that start the avalanche of guilt’s torment. In the very next verses in his letter to the Romans he shares with us:
I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. 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. Romans 7:25, 8:1
Paul directs us toward one of the most important avenues to experiencing God’s grace in the dark and the power of His amazing grace to walk out of the dark into His light.
This is platform of the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the platform that removes guilt and condemnation and becomes our launching pad from life’s hang-ups and hurts into the abundant life Jesus extends to His children.[i] This platform cannot be added to or subtracted from. He alone – fully God, sinless man . . .
Paid the penalty for our sin – our having missed the mark of God’s holiness.[ii]
Satisfied the wrath of God for our unholiness, as well as our un-wholeness.[iii]
Once-and-for-all was the only sacrifice needed and acceptable to God.[iv]
Made available the complete and total forgiveness of our sins.[v]
Defeated the power of death and the devil.[vi]
Delivered us from condemnation and the power of guilt and shame.[vii]
Imputed – gave to us freely – His righteousness.[viii]
Restored our lost dominion and authority.[ix]
The defeat and despair of Romans 7 takes us directly in the triumph of Romans 8. The turning point takes place in the last verse of chapter 7 when Paul seems to shout to us through the ages that only Jesus can free us from the law and work of sin and darkness in our lives.
I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Did you catch that? Only Jesus can do the work of extricating us from the tyranny of darkness. And the next exclamation for the believer from Paul’s lips is:
No more condemnation
No more accusation
No load of guilt to bear
(We will continue in Chapter 3, next week! Thanks for hanging with me!)
[i] John 10:10
[ii] Romans 5:6
[iii] 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:23-24
[iv] Hebrews 7:27
[v] Ephesians 1:7-8
[vi] Hebrews 2:14
[vii] Romans 8:1
[viii] 2 Corinthians. 5:21
[ix] Luke:10:17-20