Romans 8:1, 33-34 (NKJV) 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.… Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
As Christians, we need to know that the devil, the accuser of the brethren, will condemn us before God throughout the day, making us feel unworthy in our hearts and minds before God. He will also deceive us into thinking that God has abandoned us because He is unhappy with us, and this is why we are going through tribulation, persecution, nakedness, famine, and distress! He is the master of lies, whose ways are to kill, steal, and destroy, and he wants to destroy our relationship with God through deception, causing us to be bitter and angry towards God.
However, we must be truthful about the causes of the challenges we face and not live in denial. If we have walked away from God or acted in the flesh, which has led to these challenges, we need to repent! These sins could be in our marriage, business, investments, and other decisions that we have made without consulting God.
1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Secondly, 1 Peter 5:8 describes the devil as a roaring lion who prowls around to devour whom he can. However, if we are aware of the enemy’s scheme, we can secure the victory of Jesus Christ and prevent or thwart his attacks on us through intercession.
Thirdly, when we go through challenges, we also need to be confident in our right standing with God. Jesus has atoned for our sins by being made sin for us on the cross of Calvary. Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect if God has justified us? We are made righteous in Christ when we call upon His name to be saved. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus! We plead the blood of Jesus whenever the devil tries to bring an accusation against us.
Nothing will separate us from the love of God. Therefore, whatever challenge you are going through, you can leave the outcome to God, trusting that He will make all things good after you have prayed with the help of the Holy Spirit, who prays according to God’s will.
Reflection: How is the Holy Spirit convicting you of specific sins that have caused your challenges? How does knowing that condemnation is not from God encourage you?
Sermon Series: The Holy Spirit is our best stress release valve
在基督耶稣里不被定罪
罗马书 8:1,33-34 如今，那些在基督耶稣里的就不定罪了。谁能控告神所拣选的人呢？有神称他们为义了。谁能定他们的罪呢？有基督耶稣已经死了，而且从死里复活，现今在神的右边，也替我们祈求。
作为基督徒，我们必须明白，魔鬼是“控告弟兄的”，牠终日不断地在神面前控告我们，使我们在心思意念中觉得自己不配来到神面前。牠也会欺骗我们，让我们以为神已经离弃了我们，因为神对我们不满意，所以我们才会经历患难、逼迫、贫穷、饥荒和困苦。魔鬼是说谎之人的父，牠的目的就是偷窃、杀害、毁坏，并借着谎言破坏我们与神的关系，使我们对神心生苦毒和埋怨。
然而，我们也必须诚实面对自己所遭遇困难的真正原因，而不是活在自我欺骗之中。如果是因为我们远离了神，或凭着肉体行事，以致带来了这些挑战，我们就需要悔改。这些罪可能体现在婚姻、事业、投资，或其他没有寻求神心意便作出的决定上。
彼得前书 5:8 务要谨守，警醒；因为你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。
其次，彼得前书5:8将魔鬼比喻为一头吼叫的狮子，四处游行，寻找可以吞吃的人。然而，只要我们识破牠的诡计，就能持守耶稣基督已经为我们赢得的得胜，并借着代祷抵挡和挫败牠的攻击。
第三，当我们经历挑战时，也要确信自己在神面前的身份与地位。耶稣在十字架上担当了我们的罪，成为我们的赎罪祭。既然神已经称我们为义，还有谁能控告神所拣选的人呢？当我们呼求耶稣的名得救时，就已经在基督里被称为义。因此，如今凡在基督耶稣里的人，都不被定罪！每当魔鬼向我们发出控告时，我们都可以宣告耶稣宝血的遮盖与救赎。
没有任何事物能够使我们与神的爱隔绝。因此，无论你正面对什么样的挑战，都可以在圣灵的帮助下祷告，因为圣灵照着神的旨意为我们代求。祷告之后，你可以将结果交托给神，相信祂终必使万事互相效力，成就美善。
默想：圣灵是否正在光照你，使你看见哪些具体的罪导致了你目前所面对的挑战？明白“定罪并非出于神”，这真理如何鼓励你继续信靠祂？
讲章系列：圣灵是我们最好的“减压阀”