Self-Imposed Burden
We must acknowledge our new birth in Christ to overcome regret for our sinful past and live a life of joy and peace.
Miles J. Stanford preaches on the profound truth that through faith, believers are justified and have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the importance of understanding that our history in Adam ended on the Cross, and we are now new creations in Christ, free from the penalties of self-occupation like self-pity and remorse. Stanford highlights that in Christ, our sinful past no longer exists, and we are now seated in Him within the Father's favor, leading to a life of joy and peace as heavenly Christians dwelling in the Father's presence.
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"Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
Few see and stand upon the fact that our history in Adam ended on the Cross. Our past will plague us until we acknowledge that we are now clear of Adam and safely hidden in the risen Lord Jesus-newly-born creations in Him. One of the penalties of self-occupation is self-pity and corroding remorse.
"Regret for a sinful past will remain until we truly believe that for us in the Lord Jesus that sinful past no longer exists. The man in Christ has only His past and that is perfect and acceptable to the Father. In the Lord Jesus he died, and in Him he rose, and he is now seated in Him within the circle of the Father's favored ones. He is no longer angry with himself because he is no longer self-regarding, but Christ-regarding: hence there is no place for regret."
"The knowledge of our union with the Lord Jesus is what will deliver the believer from all that is low and feeble, and will lift him to a life of joy and peace. To gaze upon our risen Lord in the Father's presence, to whom all things are subject, will transform us into heavenly Christians, dwelling all the day in the Father's presence." -A.M.
"The believer shares the Lord Jesus' Cross ('knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him' Romans 6:6); His death ('ye died and your life is hid with Christ in God' Colossians 3:3); His burial ('we were buried with him by baptism into death' Romans 6:4); His resurrection ('as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we' Romans 6:4); His ascension ('made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus' Ephesians 2:6)." -F.J.H.
"There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).
Sermon Outline
- Our History in Adam Ended on the Cross
- Regret for a Sinful Past
- The Knowledge of Our Union with the Lord Jesus
- We are now clear of Adam and safely hidden in the risen Lord Jesus
- Our past will plague us until we acknowledge our new birth in Christ
- Regret remains until we truly believe our sinful past no longer exists
- We are no longer self-regarding, but Christ-regarding
- This knowledge delivers us from low and feeble things
- It lifts us to a life of joy and peace
Key Quotes
“Regret for a sinful past will remain until we truly believe that for us in the Lord Jesus that sinful past no longer exists.” — Miles J. Stanford
“The knowledge of our union with the Lord Jesus is what will deliver the believer from all that is low and feeble, and will lift him to a life of joy and peace.” — Miles J. Stanford
“There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus.” — Miles J. Stanford
Application Points
- Acknowledge your new birth in Christ to overcome regret for your sinful past.
- Focus on your union with Christ to live a life of joy and peace.
- Remember that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.