Walkawayability

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

Hebrews 9:14 "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God."

I John 5:13 "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."

The purpose of the atonement is to give us 'walkawayability.'

Every other religion leaves you hanging, questioning, doubting. "Did I do enough?" There is always a lingering feeling that more is required, so the offerer lingers around whatever altar their religion sets up, wondering what else they need to do. They keep coming back to make increasingly severe sacrifices to meet the ever-escalating demands of their god. There is always more to do, more to maintain. Islam is notorious for this - do more to receive more - and we have seen the outcome of this mentality. The Catholic Mass makes this requirement - keep coming, keep partaking of Communion, to assure that you're still in. Even some of our Protestant denominations leave you with the uneasy feeling that there is more to do or you aren't all right.

But that is not the plan of God. He wants us to walk away in assurance, knowing that we have been cleansed and that no other offering is required or even acceptable. Christ offered Himself once for all. By His blood our consciences are cleansed. We can walk away.

That's the main point of the transition from Romans 7 to Romans 8. Paul was dying inside, his sin was killing him. He had an inner agony - feeling that he could never be made right. Then he came to the realization that there is "no condemnation" for those in Christ. He could walk away.

I see this as one of the biggest hurdles in church. People just don't get it - they don't understand what Christ has done, that it truly is 'finished.' There are no other sacrifices, and if they truly embrace this and look to Him, they will be completely forgiven. There is no lingering around, wondering what more can be done. It is freedom. Freedom to serve Him with a clear conscience. It is His greatest gift to us - the gift of "walkawayability."

Let "it" go - whatever the "it" is in your life. Whatever stupid, sinful things you have done - let them go. Don't let them hang on to you, and don't linger around them. Accept the gift of total cleansing, of a past that is truly past - and move on to serve Him in freedom. The clear conscience is given so that we may serve the living God. An unsure person is an ineffective witness.