I've been chewing on Romans 8:1-2 for the last month or so and never seem to exhaust its worth.
"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set me free from the law of sin and death."
As amazing as it is to hear God tells us "there is no condemnation", how many times do we place condemnation upon ourselves? I have fallen prey to the idea that self-criticism (condemnation in wolf's clothing) will motivate me to be a "better person". As if another whip on the back will compel me to become a better husband, share the gospel with greater vigor or make me a better employee. My problem is that I begin and end with myself. My starting line is self-analysis and I am running toward the finish line called "self-perfection" (has anyone reached it yet?)
The beauty of the gospel is that One has already reached perfection and has chosen to give me the reward of His fulfilling work. By faith, His work of redemption has already placed me on the finish line called "glorified" with Him. I no longer need to continue striving out of fear and the threat of separation from Him, but rather enjoy Him for who He is and so find within Him the strength to do the good work He has begun. Life is no longer a list of "things I must accomplish", but an opportunity to enjoy Him and let every action and word be out of gratitude for who He is. This is a lasting work that will endure anything conjured up by self-criticism or condemnation.
The result of this fixation on Jesus is an uncontainable, gospel-centered, God glorifying life that is filled with evidence of His work. When my eyes are on Jesus, not condemnation, I am empowered to be that better husband, to share the gospel with greater boldness and to be a better employee. His work of redemption continues to bear fruit in day-to-day living through His transforming work in me. This is real change.
A song I'm reminded of expresses it so well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajczMxNu45M
Piper does a steller job of clarifying the fact that we are first justified before God, then He brings about His work of sanctification:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/ScriptureIndex/10/68_Set_Free_by_the_Spirit_of_Life_in_Christ_Jesus/
