Although Paul talks about sin still being present within – it remains in every believer for now – there is victory in Christ. Every Christian has two laws, or principles, operating within.

There is the law of sin (Ro. 7:23) and there is the law of God (Ro. 7:25), and both want to reign within our hearts and minds. Even though sin sometimes gets the upper hand when yielded to, sin cannot condemn the believer to Hell.

Continuing in known sin, however, can bring the judgment (chastening) of God on your life. He has one primary goal for every believer – to conform you to the likeness of His Son.

Walking in the Spirit, Paul says, has no condemnation. God is pleased when we do so because He is able to work on us and through us when we are yielded to Him.

Paul tells us that the Spirit-led life is the blessed life because it has no guilt associated with it. It also is a life free of God’s chastening or withholding of His blessings.

The word “condemnation” in the New Testament does not always mean damnation to Hell. A good example of this can be seen in James 3:1, where it says, “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”

A “master” is a teacher. Notice the two words “brethren” and “we.” He is clearly talking to believers. The “condemnation” they might receive is that of guilt and chastening because of failing to do what they know.

Another example of “condemnation” that does not refer to damnation is seen in I John 3:20,21: “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” Here, the word “condemn,” which occurs twice, means to accuse or blame.

When we sin, Romans 8:1 tells us that we do not need to stop serving God because of guilt. Nor do we ever need to think that God will not forgive us if we sincerely are sorry for our sin and are ready to start afresh. If you sin, get forgiveness quickly and move on. Surrender anew and ask for a fresh filling of the Spirit to serve Him. He loves you and will help you continue.

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

At the end of Paul’s life, he was able to say – under the guidance of the Holy Spirit – that: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” What a testimony! Not many people can say that.

As believers, if we think about it, most of us would probably love to be able to say that at the end of our days. Paul’s declaration of having finished his race, etc., was not a boast of having reached perfection.

Even though he exerted more energy toward pleasing Christ than most others, he also learned to keep short accounts with God. When he sinned, he confessed it quickly, learned from it, and sought not to repeat it.

Most professing believers, if they are honest, know that they would have regrets if God were to take them Home to glory today. They know that they have left some things undone and they carry guilt about it. Some secret sins may also be entertained that they would be ashamed of if others found out.

The truth is that we cannot hide anything from God. Our Lord knows everything about you and me. We would only be kidding ourselves if we think we will get away with some sin. God has said: “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

Although Paul is often looked at as a “super-Christian,” we must remember that he was an ordinary man. He had the same flesh to deal with that you and I have. His secret: “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1Corinthians 15:10).

You and I have the same grace available to us that Paul had. God’s grace – which basically means God’s sufficiency for our needs – enables us to say: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). This leaves us without any excuse.

What is your excuse for holding on to those sins and failure to obey God? Why not confess those sins and get right with God today and start living the way He wants you to live? His grace will help you. Then, and only then, will you be able to end life later on without regrets.