Yesterday is finished… No more condemnation!

Romans was a letter written by Paul to a group of Spirit-filled Jews living in Rome. They understood the Mosaic Law but it was still debated in the early church. In the first eight chapters, it seems that Paul was looking to clarify a few things about the old covenant, the bonds of sin, and walking in the Spirit under the new covenant.

  • Chapter 1: Begins with greetings then goes on to establish that mankind has deliberately and knowingly turned from God. Choosing instead to delight in evil and follow his own sinful nature.
  • Chapter 2: Warns against hypocrisy in judging others then explains that The Law was really about obedience rather than the letter.
  • Chapter 3: Clearly states that all have sinned before God – whether under law or not (verses 9-12). Likewise, redemption is available to all through Jesus – whether under the law or not.
  • Chapter 4: States that Abraham’s faith was counted unto him as righteousness, before the law was even given. It explains that this is the same faith and inheritance that the Saints have been adopted into.
  • Chapter 5: Explains that God loved His people before they were justified. How much more then does He love them now they are made clean by Jesus’ blood.
  • Chapter 6: Here Paul asks, ‘shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?’ and answers ‘God forbid’. He explains how Christians (those anointed with the Holy Spirit) are free from sin and do not have to be servants to sin anymore.
These first six chapters tell us that freedom from sin is only possible by faith (verses 6, 14, 18 & 22). Meaning that a Saint must ‘believe’ they are free of sin in order to be free. Why would Paul write these things to Spirit-filled saints if there were no place for further repentance? You must believe God will forgive you for yesterday – if you are truly repentant.

  • Chapter 7: Confirms that we live under a new spiritual covenant with God, not a natural one. It then explains how we still dwell in a natural body. Finally, Paul reveals his natural weakness and that he is still subject to (but not the servant of) sin: but he is saved by faith. In the final verses, he praises God for Jesus’ sacrifice for, and victory over sin.
  • Chapter 8: Encourages us to walk in God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ and refuse to let our carnal, sinful nature pull us down. We overcome daily… and can claim all the other wonderful promises declared to us in this chapter. 

So be persuaded that God loves you and has forgotten yesterday. Then you can walk free from sin today. Only by believing that you are free to start with, can you continue on in freedom and not constantly repeat the mistakes of yesterday.

‘There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.’ Romans 8:1

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