Romans 8:1 is one of the most comforting scriptures in the Bible. Most Christians believe that we are cleansed from sin and unrighteousness upon salvation, and they are correct. But many seem to be misinformed about the commission of and penalty for sin after the new birth.
If you're like me, you struggle with guilt over mistakes you've made since becoming a Christian. We seem to feel that mistakes made now are somehow different—worse, possible unforgivable. Many Christians of certain denominations believe that to sin is to lose one's salvation altogether, and that one must be born again—again and again and again.
Or we feel that we may be forgiven for sin committed after the New Birth, but God will no longer deliver us from the earthly consequences of that sin because we should've known better.
All of these mistaken beliefs result in guilt, shame, condemnation and fear, which in turn result in a crippled Christian walk. I wonder who's behind that...
NOW...No Condemnation
When we read Romans 7, we see that Paul felt the same way...wanting to do the right thing but missing the mark. He even called himself a wretched man!
When we read Romans 7, we see that Paul felt the same way...wanting to do the right thing but missing the mark. He even called himself a wretched man!
But the Comforter—the Holy Spirit—must've whispered Romans 8:1 into his ear, because the very next thing he writes is that there is NOW—now, now, now—NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus!
'Therefore there is NOW no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.'For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.' [Romans 8:1-4]
What I love about this passage is that is written to Christians, by one of the chief writers of the New Testament, and it is always in the now. Now is now, not a few minutes ago, but NOW. It's always now, and we're always free from the law of sin and death.
We’re redeemed from the curse of the Law! [Galatians 3:13]
No Law
Think about this...Romans 4:15 says '...but where there is no law, there is also NO VIOLATION.'
Think about this...Romans 4:15 says '...but where there is no law, there is also NO VIOLATION.'
Get it? We are not under the law but under grace! [Romans 6:14,15; 1 Corinthians 9:20]
There's not really anything to be condemned over! Why? Because we are one Spirit with the Lord, complete in Him! [1 Corinthians 6:17; Colossians 2:10]
God sees as as part of Jesus! And He is perfect...
Saints
Paul makes it clear that, while our spirits are reborn, our bodies need to be presented to God as living and holy sacrifices and our minds renewed. [Romans 12:1] He seems to be acutely aware of the struggle between wanting to do what is right and not always following though.
Paul makes it clear that, while our spirits are reborn, our bodies need to be presented to God as living and holy sacrifices and our minds renewed. [Romans 12:1] He seems to be acutely aware of the struggle between wanting to do what is right and not always following though.
But what I really love is that we are referred to as 'saints' throughout the Word. The Greek word for saint is hagios...a MOST HOLY THING! God sees us as His most holy ones—a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession! [! Peter 2:9]
Titus 2:14 tells us that He gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession!
Freed from condemnation, holy, purified—that's us!
Satan
Of course, the adversary knows these things. He knows we're free, just like he knows we're one Spirit with the Lord and strengthened with all power in our inner man.
Of course, the adversary knows these things. He knows we're free, just like he knows we're one Spirit with the Lord and strengthened with all power in our inner man.
He knows that if he can keep us bound with guilt, shame and condemnation he can keep us powerless...which in turn lets him do whatever he wants because there's no one to stop him. He's called the Deceiver for good reason!
Revelations 21:10 calls him the accuser of the brethren—he who accuses them before our God day and night—but says that he has been thrown down! Hallelujah! If God isn't listening to him, neither should we! God didn't give him the time of day...He just threw that lying sack OUT!!
Enjoy your freedom
Only knowing the truth will set us free. There is NOW no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!
Only knowing the truth will set us free. There is NOW no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!
1 John 1:9 says 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' In our spirit, we've been made the righteousness of God in Christ...but if we screw up in our minds or in our bodies, we confess our sins and are immediately cleansed.
"I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins." [Isaiah 43:25]'As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.' [Psalm 103:12]
Go ahead...enjoy your freedom. Jesus paid dearly for it, once and for all.
