Lesson 353 - Junior

Memory Verse

"If God be for us, who can be against us?"  (Romans 8:31).

Notes

 

Condemnation for Sin

With all his heart Paul could say, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." Jesus had set him free from sin and was now his Master.

Condemnation is that something, which makes one feel bad, ashamed or guilty for a wrong deed committed or evil word spoken. Just as a dark cloud on a windy day may blow across the sky and cover the sun, so a cloud of condemnation comes over the soul and hides the face of God when one commits sin. God's smile is not on that one; God's glory does not shine into the heart. But condemnation settles over the soul like a thick fog. One's face, too, usually reveals the guilt that is on the heart.

But when that one seeks God and repents of his sin and receives forgiveness, and asks forgiveness of those he has wronged, all condemnation lifts from his heart and he is free from guilt. Then he can say that there is now no condemnation.

At one time, Paul had a great deal of condemnation on his heart. Satan was his master, and Paul obeyed that master, too. When the evil one told Paul to persecute the people of God, to bind them and have them put into prison, he did that. But all was changed in Paul's life that day when he met Jesus on the Damascus road. How bright was the light that shone upon him and how deep was the darkness that settled over him on his way to the city of Damascus! How deep must have been the condemnation Paul felt when he realised that he had been hurting Jesus of Nazareth as well as His followers! He was sorry -" very sorry; he asked Jesus to forgive him. When Paul was saved, all condemnation was removed from his heart. As the scales fell from his eyes, he received his sight, and at once Paul began working for Jesus Christ, his new Master.

Two Masters

"No man can serve two masters" [MAT:6:24]). Every person is serving either Christ or Satan. It is possible to change masters, and that is what Paul did.

You ask, "How can I have Christ as my Master?" Simply by praying an earnest prayer to God, asking Him to forgive your sins, and telling Him that you will serve Him. In His Word we read, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" [JHN:6:37]). When the Blood of Jesus covers your soul, all sin is forgiven and you become happy and free. Condemnation is removed from the heart and you have power to go and sin no more. A new start in life! A new heart! A new Master to serve! "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" [ROM:5:1]).

Danger in Sin

Satan is a hard master for one to serve. He promises happiness, health, wealth, and life; instead, he gives disappointment, sickness, poverty, and death. Do not tamper with sin; do not think that you can toy with evil. Do not think that you can enjoy a few of the lesser sins and their "harmless pleasures," for soon you will be indulging in greater sins and more harmful pleasures which may land your soul in eternal torment. Get rid of sin today. If you do not kill sin, it will kill you.

In some places along the coast of Britain and Scotland, it sometimes happens that a person walking along the sand will suddenly find that the sand seems to become sticky and the soles of the shoes cling to it. Although the coast may appear dry, the footprint is filled with water. One may walk on entirely unaware of the danger. Suddenly the sand covers his feet. He turns back, but with every step he sinks more deeply into the sand. Terrorised, he finds that he is sinking into quicksand. He throws down his burden, but it is too late. The sand soon reaches to his knees, then to his waist, to the chest, to the neck. He cries out, but soon his mouth is filled with sand, and he is silenced. Then his eyes are covered and he is in the night of a horrible death! How much like the danger of sin! It may not work as fast as quicksand, but it is just as powerful. First a "sweet morsel," then a little more indulgence, and soon one finds himself trapped in the fast-engulfing terrors that lead to destruction. There is only one Arm that can help in such an emergency; there is only One who can save from death. "Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee" [PS:50:15]).

Sufferings Rewarded

It was a great relief to Paul to have this new Master, Jesus Christ -" yes, a new Father, even God Himself. This made Paul an heir to a kingdom, although his earthly possessions were but few. Paul knew that if he suffered with Jesus here, he would some day be glorified with Him. A "crown of righteousness" [2TM:4:8]), he knew, awaited him.

If we suffer a little for Christ, what of it? That is not to be compared with the glory that is to come, Paul said. Whenever you feel that the life of a Christian means denying yourself too much of the pleasures of this world, just think of what Paul said: "For to be carnally minded is death" [ROM:8:6]). When you feel that perhaps the people of the world are getting more pleasures out of life than you who are a Christian, think of Paul who said: "If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die." Think of the end. Think of the day when the high, low, rich, and poor shall all stand before the righteous Judge. Then what will be the fate of those who live only for the present?

"But," you say, "when I decide to press in a little harder and pray more, I have more trials than when I just drift along." That may be true, but you also have more grace to go through the trials. Paul had learned that no matter what the trial or test, "all things work together for good to them that love God" [ROM:8:28]). So if Satan tries to tempt you along the way by placing obstacles in your path, just say: "I may not understand why this happened to me, but I do know that I love the Lord with all my heart, and he loves me, and he would not permit it to come unless it will work for my good."

The Love of Christ

Paul ends this chapter by asking a question and giving the answer. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Trouble, lack of food or clothing, danger, war, death, life, angels, powers, distance or people -" none of these are able to separate us from the love of Christ. His love never fails.

Does that mean that once one is saved, he may never backslide and be lost? No, it does not mean that. It is true that Christ's love never changes, but unless one keeps very close to Him by watching and reading God's Word often and praying much, one's love for Him may grow cold. If it does, he is on dangerous ground, for as he walks farther and farther away from the Lord he is getting closer to the world, and soon he is no longer a child of the Father. Once more condemnation clouds his life. Are you free from condemnation? 

Questions

 

1. Whose testimony is recorded in Romans 8?

2. What does it mean to walk after the flesh? After the Spirit?

3. How do we know whether we are sons of God?

4. What does it mean to be separated from the love of Christ?

5. "If God be for us, who can be against us?"

6. For whom do all things work together for good?

7. How do present sufferings of a Christian compare with the future?

8. What does it mean to be carnally minded? Spiritually minded?