Wesley Sermon #19

THE FIRST FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT

There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)

A major mark of the new birth is the lack of condemnation experienced by those who are in Christ. They actively trust that Jesus frees them from sin/sins.

There is no condemnation over past sins because they have been dealt with, once and for all, in Christ Jesus.

There is no condemnation over present sins because those in Christ do not presently sin.

There is no condemnation over inward sin because the believer does not yield to it.

There is no condemnation over imperfection, since these simply serve to remind believers of our need for Jesus.

There is no condemnation for involuntary sins since such are not even properly counted as guilt-inducing sins.

There is no condemnation for anything that one wasn’t empowered to avoid, since guilt is connected to choice.

There is not even necessarily condemnation for so called sins of surprise, insofar as it is not linked to negligence.

God does not condemn such, for God is forgiving, wise and compassionate. And it is a sin for a believer to condemn oneself when God condemns them not. It is foolishness to allow sin to masquerade as an entity more powerful than God. God’s love is higher than all my sins.