By Steven Norris
The invitation of Jesus is simple, though it is never easy. “Come, follow me,” he said to the fishermen on the shore. In order to follow him, however, they had to leave some things behind. To follow Jesus, they had to “travel light.”
Jesus invites followers today in much the same way. He calls us to “travel light” as we walk the way of Jesus together. Doing so requires that we empty some of the baggage that weighs us down. Over the next few weeks, I want to look at some of those items in an effort to help us experience the freedom of following Jesus unencumbered.
To begin, we must be willing to let go of our past. I am convinced that the Apostle Paul captured the essence of the Gospel message in one verse: “There is, therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
“Therefore . . .” I will never forget my college pastor, who used to tell me: “Every time you see a therefore, you need ask: What is that ‘therefore’ there for ?” Paul uses linking words like this because he is building a complex argument — one point building upon the next and upon the next and so on.
“Therefore” means, “Based on everything I have told you up to this point, I am going to draw a conclusion.” In chapters 1-3, Paul argues that everyone is a sinner in need of God’s grace. In chapters 4-5, Paul uses the examples of Abraham and Adam to argue that we are saved by faith, not by our good works. In chapter 6-7, Paul uses three metaphors to explain the new life we have in Christ — baptism (which connects us to Christ’s death and resurrection), slavery (those freed by Christ are a slave to righteousness), and marriage (we are no longer wed to the law, but to Christ).
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation…” Talk of condemnation brings up the image of a courtroom. In Hebrew, the word for the prosecutor, the accuser, is “satan.” The satan stands in the heavenly court to accuse and point the finger, “Look what he did. Look who she is. He/She may be able to fool others, but I’ll tell you what’s in the heart.”
Paul says that we have an advocate in Christ Jesus who is pleading our case, who is mounting our defense: “Your honor, the prosecution is correct. He did do those things. She is that person. These are all true, but the penalty (debt) has already been paid.”
“No condemnation” is a legal declaration that there is no guilt. We are acquitted…free to go…absolved…exonerated. In fact, in Greek, the sentence begins with these words: “No condemnation…” and the sentence finishes: “for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Those of us who are found in Jesus, trusted in Christ, asked for forgiveness, surrendered to his Lordship, and abide in Christ. We are free.
So, when Satan starts emptying out your baggage and airing your dirty laundry, remember these words from Christ: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Leave it behind. Travel light. This is not your story anymore.