11/21/11

This Week in Scripture; God condemned sin once and for all.

For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. - Romans 8:3-4

I am constantly amazed by God.

I keep finding new things about Him that leave me in awe, make me tremble and burst in praise (Sometimes, all three occur.). In the past few days, I've witnessed several blessings: A friend's new baby (He is adorable, by the way!), another's growing pregnancy (Another boy for her and her husband!), and an acquaintance's adoption announcement (Just found out today; hooray for the happy couple!).

Here's something that caught me completely by surprise: God condemned sin once and for all and condemned it in the flesh. I knew that Jesus died for our sins and we now are covered under His righteousness, but it doesn't sink in until the word "condemned" pops up.

To "condemn" something is to "express complete disapproval of, typically in public; censure.
Sentence (someone) to a particular punishment, esp. death: "the rebels had been condemned to death"." (Source: Dictionary.Com) The original word came from Latin (Where else?), which was condemnāre (It eventually found its way to Middle English as condempnen, with some French influence.). It's a very harsh-sounding word, but it's highly appropriate in this case.

Since God condemned sin, that means that we are no longer condemned and we no longer face God's wrath. Also, Christ fulfilled the requirements for us (That's what "under grace" means; Someone else paid our price and we reap the benefits without merit whatsoever.), but it doesn't mean that we can go on sinning (The Apostle Paul constantly points this out!). We, as Christians, are to happily and lovingly serve God and to mortify sin.

Isn't it awesome when God amazes you?

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