DAVID DECLARES IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS Devotion 26 of 28 The person God refuses to credit with sin, is the one who is NOT CONDEMNED. As it is written, "There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom 8:1). "He that believeth on him is NOT CONDEMNED: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:36). The person against whom God will not charge sin is "not condemned." Again, the person who is "not condemned" is the one to whom God WILL NOT impute sin. It is the person to whom He HAS imputed righteousness "without works." – Tomorrow:
"But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 'Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin." (Romans 4:5-8, NKJV)
The individual who is "not condemned" is the one who has "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 5:1). This is the one who has been "justified from all things" (Acts 13:39), and has been "reconciled" to God, though once "alienated and enemies" in their mind by wicked works (Col 1:21). Such have been "made accepted in the Beloved" (Eph 1:6), and are now "heirs of God , and joint-heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:17). Their names are "written in heaven" (Heb 12:23), and the vast host of holy angels have been appointed to minister to them (Heb 1:14). Jesus knows them, calls them by name, and leads them (John 10:3,14). All who are "not condemned" have "access with confidence" to the Lord and His storehouse of grace (Eph 3:12; Rom 5:2).
This is a most blessed consideration! The devil seeks to condemn believers, but God will not. Often fellow men condemn us, but God will not. In a powerful way, the Lord reasons with us on this matter. "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" (Rom 8:33-34). No person can effectively charge an individual with sin whom God has justified! No one can condemn the one who is trusting in Christ Jesus, who died, is risen, and is at the right hand of God interceding for us! To such people, God "WILL NOT impute sin." Therefore, they are NOT CONDEMNED.
Some will imagine this persuasion will encourage sin, or lull the soul to sleep, so that vigilance and diligence no longer remain. However, this is an entirely erroneous view, with not so much as a syllable of support in Scripture. The person who continues in sin is NOT living by faith, for faith will have nothing to do with sin. Sleepy and sluggardly souls are not being led by the Spirit, but have quenched and grieved Him, for the Spirit also will have nothing to do with sin. The salvation that extricates men from sin cannot encourage it. The grace that saves us from sin certainly does not lead men to again wallow in the mire from which they were delivered. The individual who knows he is not condemned will not live in the dark, or walk in the night. Wherever godly virtues are not abounding in ones life, that person has "forgotten he was purged from his old sins" (2 Pet 1:9).
I cannot close this section without reminding you that IN CHRIST your sins ARE forgiven. This is powerfully declared to us. "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you ALL trespasses" (Col 2:13). Again, it is written, "I write unto you, little children, because your sins ARE forgiven you for His name's sake" (1 John 2:12). These are wonderful statements for the one who believes!
If you can receive this (and your faith will bring that enablement), if your sins are forgiven, God has given you His righteousness. It will effectively equip you to live for the glory of God without offending Him. It will make all of His commandments pleasant to consider and sweet to obey. You will surely find that Christ's yoke is easy, and His burden light (Matt 11:30). Basking in the light of this knowledge, none of God's commandments are grievous (1 John 5:3). You can know you are forgiven, and that God Himself WILL NOT charge you with sin! In that confidence you can approach God, resist the devil, and perfect holiness. That is all involved in being in a state described as ‘NO CONDEMNATION."
PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, I thank You for a salvation so great, and so marvelously effective, that it causes me to be in a state where there is "no condemnation."