Michiana Covenant Presbyterian Church

[Sung Psalm: 80] Do you sometimes think that the flesh is too strong? Do you think that the power of sin is too overwhelming? that it is too much for you? Another way of saying it is: "do you get so caught up in Romans 7 that you never make it to Romans 8?" Because the point of Romans 8 is that Christ brings not only freedom from the guilt of sin, but also freedom from its power. This is why – many years ago – I started saying in the declaration of pardon: "believer in Jesus Christ, you are free from the guilt and the power of sin." Paul has just finished saying that "I died" through the holy, righteous and good law. Not that the law brought death (7:13): "By no means!" It was sin that brought death. But the law condemns sin – and so therefore condemns me. That is why Paul opens Romans 8 with his marvelous statement, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."