WEBVTT 00:00:00.020 --> 00:00:06.780 There are verses you highlight, there are verses you memorize, and then there are verses that carry you. 00:00:07.580 --> 00:00:08.880 This is one of those. 00:00:15.660 --> 00:00:21.460 Welcome to Episode 4 of Verses We Missed. I'm your host, your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb, 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:27.300 and today we're going to slow down and sit inside this one sentence and let it breathe. 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:32.380 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:00:33.320 --> 00:00:34.280 That's Romans 8.1. 00:00:35.240 --> 00:00:36.880 Not less condemnation. 00:00:38.060 --> 00:00:40.420 Not eventually no condemnation. 00:00:41.160 --> 00:00:43.040 Not once you get your act together. 00:00:44.140 --> 00:00:46.420 Now for those who are in Christ. 00:00:47.500 --> 00:00:50.460 If you belong to him, the courtroom is closed. 00:00:51.060 --> 00:00:52.880 The verdict has already been spoken. 00:00:53.620 --> 00:00:55.500 You are not on trial anymore. 00:00:56.940 --> 00:01:01.920 I've mentioned to you before that context, what came just before, matters. 00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:07.860 Romans 8 opens with, therefore, which means, something came first. 00:01:08.640 --> 00:01:13.740 I often say, when you see the word therefore, ask, what's the therefore, therefore? 00:01:15.140 --> 00:01:18.580 Romans 7 ends with a cry every believer knows. 00:01:19.520 --> 00:01:23.900 Wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death? 00:01:25.080 --> 00:01:31.720 This isn't pre-Christian confusion. It's Christian honesty. I know what I should do, 00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:41.060 but I don't always do it. I want to follow Christ, but sometimes I fall. Hard. Paul gets it. God gets 00:01:41.180 --> 00:01:48.820 it. God is not surprised by your struggle. And in the very next breath, Paul says, 00:01:49.360 --> 00:01:52.400 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:01:53.660 --> 00:01:56.880 Therefore, now, no condemnation. 00:01:58.580 --> 00:02:00.960 Now here's what this verse does not say. 00:02:01.760 --> 00:02:08.600 It doesn't say no consequences or no discipline or no growth needed. 00:02:09.479 --> 00:02:16.620 It says no condemnation, no guilty verdict, no divine disgust. 00:02:18.080 --> 00:02:20.960 God is not waiting for you to improve so He can love you. 00:02:21.860 --> 00:02:23.420 The cross already settled it. 00:02:24.480 --> 00:02:26.000 Now here's what it does say. 00:02:26.900 --> 00:02:29.380 Your identity is no longer failure. 00:02:30.520 --> 00:02:33.080 Your identity is no longer disappointment. 00:02:33.990 --> 00:02:37.580 And your identity is no longer barely tolerated sinner. 00:02:38.760 --> 00:02:46.620 Your identity is beloved in Christ, covered in grace, and welcomed and held. 00:02:47.740 --> 00:02:50.120 You don't obey to earn acceptance. 00:02:50.990 --> 00:02:54.120 You obey because you are already accepted. 00:02:55.660 --> 00:02:57.900 You don't repent to avoid rejection. 00:02:58.560 --> 00:03:02.120 You repent because you've already been set free. 00:03:03.600 --> 00:03:05.220 This is not motivational language. 00:03:05.860 --> 00:03:08.940 This is legal reality in the courts of heaven. 00:03:09.940 --> 00:03:15.120 Case closed, gaveled down, sentence already served by Christ. 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:17.780 So how do we apply this? 00:03:18.740 --> 00:03:22.040 Well, when shame rises, you don't debate it. 00:03:22.210 --> 00:03:23.820 You answer it like this. 00:03:24.480 --> 00:03:28.660 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:03:29.620 --> 00:03:35.460 And when the enemy whispers, God is done with you, you respond with the verdict he cannot overturn. 00:03:36.860 --> 00:03:41.880 When your own heart says, you should be past this by now, you remind it, 00:03:42.580 --> 00:03:47.640 My standing with God is not built on my progress, but on Christ's finished work. 00:03:49.020 --> 00:03:50.920 This verse, beloved, is oxygen. 00:03:51.720 --> 00:03:54.240 You inhale it when the air gets thin. 00:03:57.680 --> 00:03:58.180 Let's pray. 00:03:59.720 --> 00:04:03.620 Our Heavenly Father, thank you that the verdict is not hanging over our heads. 00:04:04.480 --> 00:04:06.440 Thank you that the cross is enough. 00:04:07.440 --> 00:04:10.260 Teach our hearts to rest in what you have already declared. 00:04:11.180 --> 00:04:13.800 Help us live from grace, not toward it. 00:04:14.420 --> 00:04:16.660 We are yours fully and forever. 00:04:17.760 --> 00:04:19.120 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:20.140 Amen. 00:04:27.000 --> 00:04:29.160 Beloved, if this episode eased a weight today, 00:04:29.880 --> 00:04:31.300 if it lifted your shoulders, 00:04:32.140 --> 00:04:34.600 if it opened your eyes to the marvelous gift 00:04:34.940 --> 00:04:36.920 that no condemnation is, 00:04:37.400 --> 00:04:38.880 would you return some of that value 00:04:39.140 --> 00:04:40.920 with time, talent, or treasure? 00:04:41.820 --> 00:04:44.040 Time. Tell someone about the show. 00:04:44.840 --> 00:04:47.280 Talent. Contribute art or creativity. 00:04:47.800 --> 00:04:50.080 Write to me at steve at lifespringmedia.com. 00:04:50.460 --> 00:04:51.400 Let me know what you got. 00:04:52.100 --> 00:04:52.480 And treasure. 00:04:53.320 --> 00:04:55.700 Stream sats or boost in a modern podcast app. 00:04:56.060 --> 00:04:57.780 Find one at podcastapps.com. 00:04:58.160 --> 00:04:59.560 Or dollars are also welcome. 00:05:00.200 --> 00:05:01.200 Just go to... 00:05:02.400 --> 00:05:03.520 Lifespringmedia.com 00:05:10.400 --> 00:05:10.960 slash support 00:05:10.960 --> 00:05:15.460 Every Tuesday at 10 p.m. Pacific, you matter and there's no condemnation. 00:05:16.200 --> 00:05:16.340 None. 00:05:17.420 --> 00:05:20.280 Tell a friend about the show, VersusWeMissed.com. 00:05:21.700 --> 00:05:24.520 Now, until next time, may God bless you richly. 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:26.240 My name is Steve Webb. 00:05:26.980 --> 00:05:27.120 Bye.