“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful humanity to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in human flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4
I was reading this passage of scripture recently and it hit me in a new way. What if what’s refered to as “sinful nature” is religion? What if the whole point of this scripture is to put to death the chains of religion and breathe in new life by God’s spirit who offers us freedom? What if it’s our “religious duty” that pulls us from him because we will never measure up and it wedges bitterness between us and God?
Later in the chapter it is written, “The mind controlled by the sinful nature is death, but the mind controlled by the spirit of God is life and peace. The sinful mind is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.” Romans 8:6-8 Replace the word “sinful” with the word “religious” and I think you’d find an honest evaluation of where we so easily find ourselves in our walks with Christ. Our religious tendencies (as a part of the sinful human nature) are rooted in an attempt to earn God’s love and blessed are you if you try to perform for him and he gives you good enough discernment to know he’s not impressed. Blessed are you if a lifetime of works out of “religious duty” builds up a wall thick enough to keep you from fully experiencing His love, because THEN is when He will graciously open your eyes to see that your works cannot forge love to Him. Then you will see that “try harder” and “do better” are meaningless phrases that we use to try to be our own saviors. Then you will see that the chains of religion you have clung to harder than God because they seemed easier to understand, are covered in condemnation. Then you will understand the desperation the human soul has for God, and that the sacrifice of Christ was not just a testament of love for His people but an essential need for us to be reconciled to Him.
We need Jesus because we are sinful. Religion tells us to adopt some kind of service, pray for atleast ___ amount of time per day, only listen to worship music, etc. in an attempt to rid ourselves of shame that comes with sin. That will not change your sinful human nature, because works alone and on your own is just a picture of us trying to save ourselves. God tells us in His word, “The Spirit you recieved does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you recieved brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry “Abba, Father”. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:15-16
Believe in the power of the precious blood of Jesus on the cross. Believe in the truth that your mistakes are not too much, and your sin is not too heavy for Him to carry. There are no “game over” “last chance” or “past the point of no return”‘s in the Kingdom of God. His grace is sufficient, and His desire is that we walk boldly in the freedom that comes with the identity He’s given us.
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:17
We can walk in freedom because the truth is that we are already free. The cage of religion feels comfortable and reliable but it will not save you. Our Father looks at our exhaustion and says, “are you going to trust me yet?” So let go of self-shaming, walking around with your head down does not make you humble, it makes you a prisoner. Jesus died so that we didn’t have to endure shame and rose again to show that He is stronger than it.
“Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.” John 8:36
