No condemnation
Romans 8:1-8
1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
No condemnation – wow. In a world where cancel culture runs rife, where condemnation is common – where intolerance seems almost a national sport – under the guise of tolerance (I know that seems silly but our culture has largely redefined tolerance to mean agreement yet you don’t need to tolerate someone you are in agreement with – tolerance is based in respectful disagreement) – no condemnation – seems almost utopian!
Yet Paul makes this bold, outrageous claim!
No accusing voice – no place for accusation – for those in Christ. Those in Christ stand in His righteousness not some mustered up goodness that we hope will pacify an angry God – nothing based on our best or worst effort, indeed on any effort of ours – but based on Christ and His perfect sacrifice and life!
Accusation – condemnation comes to nought and therefore I am free – free to live for Christ, free to honour Him, free to serve Him.
No condemnation – I’ll take that and live in its freedom to the honour of my King the One who sets me free – Jesus.
Father, help me to live in the liberty of no condemnation – free to honour and serve Jesus in all I am and do!
Written by Ps. Richard Botta