No Condemnation in Loss

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8: 1)

The Bible is full of stories about people who did wrong things, and lost things, but God is gracious enough not only to restore what was lost, but to give us something so much better.

"For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after." (Jeremiah 30: 17)

I have lost jobs, money, etc, in many ways.

A few years ago, I was the victim of an Internet scam.

I was kicking myself for the longest time, and even until recently, I was so fearful about spending any money on anything.

I was afraid to lose money, I used to think.

But what does the Bible say about all the things in this world?
"10For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills." (Psalm 50: 10)

and

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8: 32)

Today, I take a step back, and realize that I felt guilty, ashamed, and condemned about a number of things in my life. So many things.

I felt guilty about wrong things which I had said and done, about things which I had thought and felt.

Today, because of the Cross, because of the Blood of Jesus, I recognizes that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus, at all, ever.

"There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)

Period. Why? Because Jesus took all the condemnation. All of it:

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

and also

"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;" (Colossians 2: 13)

Yet condemnation will give way to doing wrong, stupid, and foolish things. We will get afraid of our past failures, then try to hold ourselves so that we do not make those mistakes again. Guess what? We make those failures again.

"14For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me." (Romans 7: 14-20)

I had spent money badly in the past. I now understand why.

I had been tricked once, and I understand why it had happened. I also realize that He is holding the universe together, my Daddy God, and therefore I do not have to live with a poverty mindset, that there will be nothing if I spend something once in a while.

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4: 19)

I am not trusting finite man to protect me. I see the infinite loving God looking out for me.

"10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

 

11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

 

12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8:10-12)

 

I also accept that God is not going to rain down money. He cannot do that, since no one can prosper on the outside if they refuse to prosper from within. God does not throw wealth upon us if He knows that our bad mental state will lead us to spend foolishly and live heedlessly.

God our Father is infinitely interested in our full and forever prosperity. Not just for ourselves, though, but for others.

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2)

So, loss is not the issue for us, even if it is our fault. God has paid for all our sins. All of them. He is taking care of us, and He invites us to sows the seeds of good will and talent in our lives to bless others.

Wow. There is no condemnation in Christ, and I can now reap the joy of knowing the grace of God toward us, that Christ became poor that through His poverty we might be right (2 Corinthians 8: 9)