God's Holy Fire: 'No Condemnation!'

Sunday, April 7, 2024

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
— Romans 8:1-2 NLT

Key Thought

This phrase is such a great description of our identity — "those who belong to Christ Jesus." This identity ensures that God stamps his mark of authenticity on our hearts while Jesus sends the empowering Comforter and Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to be with us. The Spirit's presence brings us many blessings — like spiritual gifts, spiritual conviction, insight into God's truth, direction for our difficult journeys, along with many other blessings. Paul, in Romans 8, emphasized another great blessing from the Holy Spirit: the gift of power. The Holy Spirit brings us power over sin, power over death, power over the struggles of our sinful nature, and power through prayer. It is no wonder "there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus": We have the presence of God himself within us, empowering us, and transforming us.

Today's Prayer

Father God, you are holy and righteous. On my own, I do not have the character or the willpower to be what you want me to be. In fact, dear Father, I confess that I cannot live up to all that I want to be. But I can see the work of your Spirit, progressively and surely, conforming me to be more and more like Jesus. I am thrilled that I belong to Jesus, but I do ask today that you work mightily to make me into what you desire me to be as I live to honor you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, April 7, 2024

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'The Blessing of Believing'
"Dear Seeker of Truth, Believing in My resurrection is a real challenge. That's understandable. Having a friend who dies and then suddenly appears,..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
"For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Exile as Preparation for God’s Future'
"[Stephen continued talking about Moses in his defense before the council:] When Moses heard that [his killing of an Egyptian was known among the..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Contentment' (1 Co. 7:25-35)
"Dear Father, head of our one enduring spiritual family, Thank you that you have not left us uninformed in matters of family relations. Thank you for...."

Illustration

Illustration of Romans 8:1-2 NLT — So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations