Christ Frees Us from Condemnation & Inspiring hymn “And Can It Be”
Backgrounder on Romans 6-8:
Paul anticipates questions arising
fr hearing gospel of grace. If God’s
grace is free, then am I free to sin?
If I am free from the law, then can
I ignore the ethical demands of
the law? Paul has no illusions that
becoming a Christian means the
end of your troubles. But the life
-giving Spirit provides confidence,
for victorious Christian living
in the storms of everyday life.
Charles Wesley is probably the
greatest hymn writer the church
has ever known. From the time of
conversion in 1738, Wesley wrote
an average of two hymns a week
for 50 years composing five to six
thousand hymns during his lifetime.
Most of these hymns were written
as he travelled with his brother John,
ministering to thousands of poor
farmers and illiterate coal miners.
These were people at the margin
of society, people most churches
did not bother to think about. It
was for them that Charles Wesley
composed his hymns, where
people experienced the love of God.
The vastly popular hymn “And Can
It Be” was inspired by Romans 8.
Lord, we’ll Flow with the Spirit:
There is No Condemnation for
those who are In Christ Jesus,
who do not walk according to the
flesh but according to the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life
in Christ Jesus has made me
free from the law of sin and death…
For those who live according to the
flesh set their minds on the things
of the flesh, but those who live
according to the Spirit, the things
of the Spirit (Romans 8:1-2, 5).
The Spirit helps us in our weakness.
We do not know what we ought
to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes
for us… He who searches our hearts… intercedes… in accordance with the will of God (v26-27).
And we know that in all things God
Works for the Good of those who
love Him, who have been called
according to His purpose (v28).
Lord Jesus, No Condemnation are
two of the most beautiful words.
Yet some days they are hard to
believe, hard to really take hold of.
On one hand, I may be quick some-
time to blame others for the problem
but deep down I condemn myself.
Help me Lord to live in the reality
of the freedom that comes from
Your grace and be at peace. Amen.
Father, forgive me for the times
that I wrongly think You want
to punish me for my failures.
For Jesus took my punishment
and gave me His righteousness.
Because of that Father You see me
as perfect and precious. And Lord,
help me to better understand Your
grace and mercy so that I might be
more gracious and merciful. Amen.
Holy Spirit, help me in my weakness
by interceding for me and thru me.
You know the will of the Father
and You know what to pray for.
Guide me and teach me especially
when I have exhausted all words.
Help me to communicate to God
my deepest thoughts, feelings,
fears and doubts, so that my
prayers are pleasing to God. Amen
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s Blood;
Died He for me who caused His Pain
For me, who Him to death pursued;
Amazing love! how can it be That
Thou my Lord, should Die for me?..
He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His Grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love
And bled for Adam’s helpless race;
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free
For O my God, it found out me…
No condemnation now I dread
Jesus and all in Him is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head And
Clothed in righteousness divine;
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne &
Claim the crown, thru Christ my own.