Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

 

No one wants to be condemned, especially by God. Therefore, the first half of this Passage of Scripture is very popular among Christians. However, many fail to include the last half of the verse. It’s true! There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus IF they do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 

 

God is a Covenant God. When we accept Christ as our Savior, we enter into a covenant relationship with God. A covenant is an agreement between two parties. Both parties agree to do their part. Unfortunately, many Christians expect God to do His part, but they don’t want to do theirs. This is the problem with the Body of Christ and it always has been the problem. Since Biblical times, believers do not want to walk according to the Spirit of God. 

 

This is the spiritual battle we all face every day. Satan wants us to walk according to the flesh which is sinful. He continually attacks our thoughts tempting us with all the ungodly things of this world. While it is true that everyone fails at times and come short of the Glory of God, the word “walk” is referring to our lifestyle; how we live our lives on an ongoing, daily basis. 

 

It is our “walk” in life that causes us to be in or out of covenant with God. We cannot pick and choose the parts of Scripture we like. We must read the entire Passage and understand what the Holy Spirit is saying. If we read the last part of this Passage first, we will have a greater understanding. 

 

For those……….who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit;………...there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus 

 

The Word of God is full of Covenant Scriptures because God is a Covenant God. This is the way He planned life for mankind. The enemy will tell you it doesn’t matter what you do or how you live if you are “saved.” Some preachers and teachers will tell you that too, but that is NOT what the Word of God says.  

 

We are responsible for reading the Word of God for ourselves. All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God. (2 Timothy 3:16) The theme of the Bible is “How to live for God.”  How we live our lives is representative of our “walk” in life. When we keep our eyes on God, use the Word of God as our life instruction book, and seek the Holy Spirit for continual guidance, we will hear that still small voice the Prophet Isaiah spoke about in Chapter 30, Verse 21: Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” 

 

Again, the last half of the Passage completes the thought: Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. This says that no matter which way we turn (to the right or the left) IF we keep our focus on God and His Ways, we will hear that Voice of direction saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”

 

This is the Voice of the Holy Spirit who is our Guide. Let us allow Him to guide our every step in our daily walk through this life. 

 

The God of the universe can……..turn the tide

 

Focused and listening,      Doreen

 

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