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There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Have you heard the expression “Know Jesus, Know Peace”? Let’s consider “Now Jesus, Now Peace.”
As Christians, we should live in peace, instead of doubt, discouragement, and depression. The secret of peace is living “now,” not letting the poison from yesterday or the worries about tomorrow destroy peace.
Learn to live now!
Consider Romans 8:1. Note the word now. In the Greek, this word is nun. To get technical, it is a present-tense participle. The Apostle Paul uses nun often when describing how we should live.
Let’s spend a moment learning to pronounce it correctly… not “nun” like in a convent but “noon” as when you eat lunch.
Think about Romans 8:1 again. Paul didn’t write, “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” He wrote, “There is nun (now) no condemnation…”
Am I stretching my participles into something out of proportion? It does seem to be an insignificant word.
However…
Having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved. Romans 5:9
Now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. Romans 6:19
Did you catch the words “justified” and “sanctification” in connection with nun? Paul could easily have said, “You are justified” or “You are sanctified,” but instead, he added the emphasis of nun or now.
Living in the NOW.
For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy. Romans 11:30
For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord. Ephesians 5:8
For now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 3:8
Our mercy, being light, and standing strong are NUN.
We live in the present; our past is forgiven and our future assured. Living with guilt and condemnation is overcome by grace. Worry about the future, anxiety over COVID and distress about finances are lassoed and brought back to now.
To find peace in God’s presence.
The question: How to now?
- Learn to set yourself free from the past. Read Romans 8:1-8 a few times. Every time you feel guilt or anger say, “I have been set free.” That’s the new law of the Spirit.
- Read Galatians 2:20 a million times and say, whenever you worry about the future, “By faith, I live now in Christ.”
Now Jesus, Now Peace.