-

LIVING A SINLESS LIFE

By David Woodbury

There is a sense in which when we reflect on everything God does for us we are left speechless. With God not only on our side but indeed dwelling within us, who is able to condemn us? In his love and mercy, God sacrificed his son to enable us to live in a right standing with him and surely such a sacrifice is the ultimate gift. Consequently, can we not rely on such a God to freely and graciously give us everything else that we can need? When faced by the evidence of our past, or threatened with the problems of the present, we have a hope and confidence that faces the future, secure in knowing that the entirety of our life is in the hands of a God who loves us beyond human comprehension.

31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. (Romans 8:31-34 – NLT)

God himself has declared us free from sin and we stand before him as one who has never sinned. Therefore, since the judge himself has declared us free from sin, no one is in a position to condemn us, not even ourselves? None can dare accuse us since God the judge has himself declared that we are sinless because the blood of Jesus has obliterated our sin.

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39– NLT)

Paul goes on to compile a list of ordeals or circumstances that could fracture our relationship and standing with God; trouble, calamity, persecution, hunger, destitution, danger, death etc., are used as samples of situations that could break the bond of love between God and ourselves. Here he speaks from life experiences for he had suffered much in his ministry. It may well be that such situations can cause us to doubt God’s love and we need to hold fast to the promises that God has made to us and despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. (V37 NLT)

The reality is that those who have accepted Christ as their Saviour live with him, die with him and will rise with him in eternity. Death is not separation from him but rather a step nearer to his presence. The totality of their lives and their living is cocooned in his love. All conceivable circumstances and events that this world can produce are unable to break the bond of love between the Christian and Christ. Jesus is the ultimate master of all tempests and calamities that humanity can encounter. Consequently, If God is for us, who [or what] can ever be against us? 

There is a sense in which this passage of scripture needs to be personalised to make it live. It is when we insert our own name into the passage that it takes on a power and invincibility that is beyond human comprehension. Citizens within the kingdom of God need to infuse this passage of scripture, personalised and validated, into their kingdom lifestyle. Its positivity, assurance and optimism must embrace and encircle their very existence.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

-
Image
THE FANATICISM OF THE CLIMATE CHANGE DEBATE By David Woodbury I have listened with a great deal of anxiety recently to the strident and loud voices of the climate debate and noted with alarm the number of children, some quite young, being involved in rallies and protests. Perhaps it came home more forcibly when we shared an evening meal a highly intelligent 19-year old young woman who is a high achieving academic. During our dinner-time discussion, she shared how scared she was of the future and whether there would be a world left for her children, After she left I found myself quite saddened and perplexed that 19-year-old should feel this degree of anxiety and despair. I reflected back to my time as a 19-year-old and to how I felt. The cold war was raging and a small group of vocal commentators were predicting the doom and gloom of a nuclear holocaust that would eliminate human civilisation. Some individuals were constructing nuclear fallout shelters in their back...
Read more
-
Image
LEST WE FORGET By David Woodbury After a long and sometimes painful process, we have arrived at the vision of a national territory. Although I was unable to be present in Melbourne, images and video streaming from the event branded it as an impressive spectacular, with its camels, donkeys and top-line performers. Such celebrations are important and beneficial for they enable us to celebrate our faith and encourage the community of faith. However, they are not indicators of success, growth, or, for that matter, divine approval. I found myself reflecting back on similar spectaculars at Robert Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral . His TV ministry, The Hour of Power , along with his opulent Crystal Cathedral marked out his philosophy with all the hallmarks of American excesses and consumerism. However, it is worth noting that his whole empire crumbled amidst bitter family squabbling and his church filed for bankruptcy in 2010. His Crystal Cathedral was sold off to the Roman Cat...
Read more
-
Image
Vale Bexley North By David Woodbury Having just attended the final closing ceremony at The Salvation Army School for Officer Training at Bexley North in Sydney, I found myself coming away with a disturbing sense of disquiet and uneasiness, and have spent some time reflecting on the decision to move training for officers nationally, to Melbourne. Among much of the paraphernalia circulating around the merger of the two territories was a logo entitled; Inclusive Australia . My understanding is that it refers to The Salvation Army’s Multicultural Department which is focussed on making migrants and refugees welcome among us and part of our mission and ministry; a ministry, that I personally know, is highly beneficial and effective in some parts of Sydney. I would commend those participating in such ministry for their dedication, love and understanding. However, if we were to apply the same logo to recent amalgamations and the merger of the two Australian territorie...
Read more