February 13, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"There is therefore now no condemnation." — Romans 8:1 · KJV

Come, my soul, think of this. Believing in Jesus, you are actually and effectually cleared of guilt; you are led out of your prison. You are no longer in fetters as a bond-slave; you are delivered now from the bondage of the law, freed from sin, and can walk at large as a free man, for your Savior's blood has procured your full discharge. You have a right now to approach your Father's throne. No flames of vengeance are there to frighten you now, no fiery sword; justice cannot smite the innocent. Your disabilities are taken away: once you could not see your Father's face; now you can. Once you could not speak with Him; now you have access with boldness. Once the fear of hell was upon you; but you have no fear of it now, for how can there be punishment for the guiltless? He who believes is not condemned, and cannot be punished. And more than all, the privileges you might have enjoyed had you never sinned are yours now that you are justified. All the blessings you would have had if you had kept the law — and more — are yours, because Christ has kept it for you. All the love and acceptance that perfect obedience could have won from God belong to you, because Christ was perfectly obedient on your behalf and has imputed all His merits to your account, that you might be exceedingly rich through Him who for your sake became exceedingly poor. Oh, how great the debt of love and gratitude you owe your Savior! A debtor to mercy alone, I sing of covenant mercy; with Your righteousness on, I do not fear to bring my person and my offerings; the terrors of law and of God can have nothing to do with me, for my Savior's obedience and blood hide all my transgressions from view.