Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
Everything is broken. We live in a broken world that does not operate in the way that God created it and pronounced everything to be very good. And because we live in this broken, sin-filled world, we will suffer from all the symptoms of its brokenness. It could be that you will suffer as a result of some kind of injustice or betrayal. You may suffer from sickness or disease. Perhaps, as many on Florida’s west coast did last fall, you will suffer the effects of a devastating natural disaster.
The world is indeed broken. But we must never forget that we too are broken. The greatest challenge we face in life does not come from outside us; it comes from within us. It is the evil that lives deep within our hearts. That is true for everyone, even for those who are in Christ.
Jesus conquered sin, Satan, and death on the cross. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He meant what He said. However, inasmuch as sin no longer reigns over us, it most definitely still remains. You and I have the internal problem of remaining sin in our lives, and it will never be completely eradicated while we live on this side of glory. Sin is part of our fallen nature, even after we have been given our new nature in Christ. Scripture tells us matter-of-factly that “The sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want” (Galatians 5:17).
This battle rages deep within the human heart, but even in our brokenness we are still immensely blessed. When we are in Christ, we have been given the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to fight against every temptation that comes our way. The Holy Spirit encourages and empowers us to rise above indwelling sin so that we can live according to God’s perfect plan for our imperfect lives.
On those occasions when we don’t rise above the brokenness of this world, but find ourselves muddling around on the sinful mudflats of life, we must cling to the truth that we are fully forgiven and unconditionally loved, thanks to the cross work of Christ. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Not Satan. Not death. Not even our sin. Remember, “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20).
Yes, the world is broken, and we are broken. But we are abundantly blessed in all that brokenness!
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 