Today's scripture reading is found in the book of Romans, chapter 8 verses 1 to 4.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.

For what the law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did, sending his own son in the

likeness of sinful flesh and does an offering for sin, he condemns sin in the flesh, so that

the requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the spirit.

Father, we want now to continue our exultation over you by opening your word together and asking that you

would stand forth from it.

I pray that by the spirit we might see and taste Christ

in and under above and behind the word that he has spoken. And I pray that it would be a saving word and a strengthening word.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

So, Father, I ask that any among us who is not a hearty believer

in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and Treasure

would be brought by the power of your word

to trust and treasure Jesus.

I pray for your help now to open these words faithfully, truly, protect me from pride and fear and Satan,

and grant that this whole congregation would be riveted on your truth and on yourself. In Jesus' name I ask it, Amen.

Verse 1, declares that there's no condemnation to us in Christ Jesus.

Nobody's going to be condemned who is in Christ Jesus by faith.

No wrath, no guilt, no punishment. you're in Christ Jesus.

Then verse two says that by the power of the spirit a liberating force has come into our lives and it is

setting us free from sin. There has been not a complete and final liberty from sin, but a decisive and irrevocable liberation from sin such that what

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