I am free from condemnation...

Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...


Colossians 1:21,22 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation--

Mike MacIntosh – Today’s Devotion from 11/15/10

"Have you ever been shut-out of fellowship and relationship with someone? Maybe a friend, perhaps a co-worker, a son or daughter, or even a spouse? When someone shuts down that relationship and fellowship, we experience a loss of intimacy with that person we love and trust; it is very disheartening. Being shut out of fellowship is the very alienation Paul is referring to here, in this passage from Colossians.

"Prior to giving my heart to Jesus, that is exactly where I was -- alienated and shut out of fellowship with God. But I wasn't alienated because I didn't pray enough or because I didn't do enough good deeds. No, I was alienated because I was an enemy of God in my mind. And it is in the mind that the devil can attack us so often. Who, reading this, does not have a radio in their car, a television in their home, or a newspaper delivered to their door? Those things are not designed to speak to your feet or your hands; they are designed to speak to your mind. So often radio, TV, movies, the internet, and the newspaper can fill your mind with things that alienate you from God.

"Let me ask you, do you spend more time during your day keeping your mind in harmony with God, building up your relationship and fellowship with Him, or do you let your mind get filled with things that alienate you from Him?

"God sent Jesus down to earth to die on a cross because He no longer wanted you to be alienated from Him, but wanted to have that relationship and fellowship restored.

"'Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things" (Philippians 4:8).'"

SO – Jesus has already done what needed to be done to restore us to fellowship – and if we’ve come to Him on HIS terms, we are restored. This devotional makes a good point, though, that we can allow other things to clutter our mind and heart – and we can start erecting another barrier to replace the one Jesus tore down! I hope you’ll take a few minutes right now to consider what things you’re allowing to come between you and Jesus. He didn’t let ANYTHING stop Him from doing His part – because HE LOVES YOU like no one else ever will! Start tearing down that wall you’ve put up – until each and every brick is lain at the foot of the cross! Sharon