“The Earth Was Dried” (Gen 8:13-14)

“And it came to pass in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and indeed the surface of the ground was dry. And in the second month, on the twenty–seventh day of the month, the earth was dried.”

Read: Gen 8:1-19

The gospel is “no condemnation” to those that are in Christ, and only as we abide in Him do we receive the fruit of believing (John 15:4). Salvation isn't pacifying an angry God or making up for what you've done; it is receiving the Lord and the peace that's in Him.

First, the gospel is “no condemnation”. Noah and the elect STAYED in the ark until the ground was dry, until all wrath was gone. Only then did they come out, blessed of God, “Then God spoke to Noah, saying, Go out of the ark” (vs15-16). So long as we stand in our righteousness or seek favor APART from the blood of Christ, we will be cursed by God. We may labor like the raven, but we will not have God's peace, “which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth” (Gen 8:7). Christ is not with us.

Secondly, this “no condemnation” gospel is fruitful. Do you see how Noah was blessed to leave the ark and bear fruit, “and be fruitful and multiply on the earth. So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his son's wives with him” (vs17)? Do you see how the dove came with evidence of life, “and, behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her house; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth” (vs11)? In the same way, those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness receive life, not in theory, but in really being able to live for God. The blind SEE, the lame walk, and the lepers are healed.

Salvation by grace, justification by faith, and sanctification by the Spirit all work together, so that where “no condemnation” reigns, fruitfulness, blessings, and GOOD works are present too.

If you want to do good, then believe His love, and you'll be empowered and accepted in your works.

Thirdly, this “no condemnation” is the reward of faith. He has given proof of His love, and we receive Christ's grace from sheet to sheet in the volume of the Book. We are unworthy, dirty, and oft far in sin, and He gives us more evidences of His goodness, so that we receive His love again (Hos 3:1-3). We are not those without hope. We are not those who have no peace. But, we are drawn by God to Christ CONTINUALLY, and we're taught the sweetness of Christ, while others perish in sin.

Lastly, don't shame yourself. God doesn't condemn, so lift up your head and receive the gift of life (Rom 8:33-34).