Psalm 55:16-18

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No Judgment To Those In Christ

“There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1).

Believers expect to be judged before God upon the same holiness, truth, and justice as all other men. We expect to be weighed in the scales of justice fairly and squarely, with no respect of persons or partiality. We do not expect to be excused from examination nor judged in secrecy. As David said in Psalm 17:2, "Let the Judge of all the earth hear my case Himself and set my sentence." How can one be so bold? Paul answers, "Who can lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God who justifieth! Who is He that condemeth? It is Christ who died." (Rom. 8:33-34).

There is no judgment nor condemnation to those who are in Christ.

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1994)

WHAT ARE WE TO DO WHEN WE ARE AFRAID, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE AFRAID OF GOD?

Job 23:14-15 “For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.”

HERE IS WHAT WE ARE TO DO:

Psalm 56:3; “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” When the storm of appointed afflictions passes our way, let’s trust in the one who sent them. Our Heavenly Father knows best.

When trouble comes our way and we find ourselves afraid, let’s:

1). Trust Him who is infinitely wise. He makes no mistakes.

2). Trust Him who is infinitely good. Let’s not judge God’s goodness by circumstance.

3). Trust Him who loves you with infinite love, everlasting love.

4). Trust Him who has already taken care of the weightier matters, our salvation. Remember, our troubles are not a matter of God’s power to deliver, but a matter of His will.

5). Trust Him who is head of all principalities and powers (Ephesians 1:21-23).

6). Trust Him who is God. Who plants his foot upon the storm and rides upon the wings of the wind.

As Job said, Job13:15; “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.”

Pastor John Chapman

CHRIST OUR SUBSTITUTE

“Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified” (Matt. 27:26).

God has ordered by His marvelous providence a vivid picture of every believer’s Substitute. Barabbas was rightly charged, convicted and sentenced to be executed. He was found guilty of murder, robbery and sedition against Rome. When the executioner came to release him, he was told Jesus of Nazareth had taken his scourging and crucifixion and that he could go free.

Barabbas is a type and picture of the sinners for whom Christ Jesus died (1Tim.1:15). We stand guilty before the law of God (Rom. 3:19-20). We were justly convicted of great offences against God (Psalm 51:4). We were waiting the execution by God’s holy law (Rom.6:23). However, by the order of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was sent to rescue, redeem and release sinners (Matt.9:13; Luke 4:18).

Believers no more merit release and rescue than Barabbas did (Eph.2:1-4). But God in His sovereign grace sent the gracious Substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ to take our place and set us free (1Peter 3: 18). Christ Jesus paid our debt to God’s law and justice and cleared us of all guilt (Gal. 3:10-13). Christ Jesus took our scourging and with His strips we are healed (Isa. 53:5). Christ Jesus took our death and gave us His life (1John 5:12). He took our sin and gave us His righteousness (2Cor. 5:21). He was condemned though innocent (1Peter 2:22), that we might be justified though guilty (Rom.8:1).