Because of our daily spiritual conflict (Ro 7), some Christians fear that if they do a bad sin, they will lose their salvation and God will condemn them to hell. Perhaps you have felt that way at times. Is it true? No it is not. Let me show you why.

Transition

We are going to examine three evidences that assure us Christians will never be condemned by God.

I. 1st Evidence is The Assurance of Our Description (1)

At the end of verse one it says, “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Many Bibles have deleted this phrase from verse one because it is not in the minority manuscripts that are extremely popular today. I believe God put it in verse one because it is a fact that describes the Christian.

Christians walk not after the flesh

  1.  The word translated “after” is a key word. Its root meaning is “down”. It speaks of ruling over.
  2. The Christian is not one who is ruled by his flesh. This does not mean that a Christian will never sin. It means that his flesh no longer rules him. He died with Christ who broke the chains of the sinful flesh.
    Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
  3. To walk after the flesh describes an unbeliever. The flesh rules the unbeliever’s life. The flesh leads him and controls him. He fulfils the desires of his heart.
    1. Paul reminds us that we all walked after the flesh before salvation.
      Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
    2. Walking in the flesh describes the activities of the unsaved world.
      1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Christians walk after the Spirit

  1. They are under the dominion or leadership of the Holy Spirit of God who lives inside of us.
    1. He is our teacher (Jn 14:26).
    2. He helps us understand the Bible (1Co 2:13).
    3. He enables us to live in victory (Gal 5:16).
    4. He seals us (Eph 1:13).
    5. He guides us (Jn 16:13).
    6. He produces fruit in our lives (Gal 5:22-23).
    7. He helps us pray (Ro 8:26)
    8. He empowers us to witness (Ac 1:8).
  2. Unfortunately, Christians do not always obediently “walk in the Spirit” but they always securely “live in the Spirit.” In other words, they answer to the Spirit of God and live under his leadership.
    Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
    Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

What is your walk like? Do you walk after the flesh, doing what you please with little desire to do what pleases God? Or, do you walk after the Spirit realizing that He lives in you and is your divine leader? Walking after the Spirit is very difficult to fake because only the Holy Spirit can change a person’s heart, attitude, and countenance to reflect His holy character.

2nd Evidence is The Assurance of God’s Declaration (1)

In this verse, God declares two wonderful facts.

Christians are in Christ Jesus

  1. Being “in Christ Jesus” declares that Christians have an intimate relationship with Christ. They are in His family. They are in His hands. They are under his protection. They are in harmony with Him.
  2. Being “in Christ” is the place of absolute security. Those “in Christ” have a home in heaven and will never go to hell.
    John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
    1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
  3. Being “in Christ” changes a person’s entire life.
    2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
  4. Being “in Christ” assures us that we will one day be resurrected from the dead.
    1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Christians will never be condemned to hell

  1. The little word “no” in this verse is powerful. We face NO condemnation.
  2. “Condemnation” speaks of a sentence of judgment against a sinner. This verse does not say that God will not chasten believers who sin.
    1. The book of Hebrews clearly states that He will.
      Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
    2. Every Christian’s life will be evaluated at the Judgment Seat of Christ. He will either be rewarded or rebuked for his conduct.
      2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
  3. However, the wonderful truth is that we will never ever be condemned to hell. When a repentant sinner trusts Christ, he is born into God’s family. Nothing can break that relationship. Sin can block your fellowship with God but it cannot destroy your relationship with God.
  4. We have God’s inspired promise that true Christians will never ever be condemned. Amen!

3rd Evidence is The Assurance of Our Distinction (2-9)

God contrasts for us the walk after the flesh and the walk after the Spirit so we can see the distinct difference that assures a Christian that he is truly in Christ.

Unbelievers walk after the flesh and displease God

  1. Those after the flesh dwell on the things of the flesh (5). They think fleshly thoughts and seek to fulfil them because they are unsaved.
  2. The carnal (fleshly) minds of unbelievers reject God and lead them to eternal death (6).
  3. The carnal (fleshly) mind treats God as an enemy (7). It cannot possibly submit to God.
  4. Those who are in the flesh are unsaved and cannot please God (8).

Christians walk after the Spirit and please God

  1. Christians are free from the law of sin and death (2). Christ paid their debt in full (3) so that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in them (4). Christ gave them His righteousness (2Co 5:21).
  2. Those who walk after the Spirit think on the things of the Spirit (5). This kind of mind has eternal life and peace (6).
  3. If God’s Holy Spirit dwells in you, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit (9). The Spirit of Christ lives inside every true Christian.
    1. Every Christian receives the Holy Spirit the moment he trusts Christ. He is instantly baptised in the Spirit.
    2. This verse quashes the false idea that Christians must pray to get the Spirit as a second blessing.

Conclusion

This morning we have examined three evidences that assure us Christians will never be condemned by God. If you are a Christian, you are walking after the Spirit, God has promise that He will never condemn you, and the Holy Spirit living in you has changed your life. You are eternally secure!

If these evidences are not present in your life, you are in great danger. You are not “in Christ”. You have no home in heaven. You are heading for condemnation. The good news is that if you will repent and trust Christ, He will change you from the inside out and give you the promise that you will never be condemned.

Song: Blessed Assurance 255

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No Condemnation

4 August 2013 AM – Romans 8:1-9 – Scott Childs