“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” – Romans 8:1
LIGHT FOR NOW: The law of the spirit of life is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8 is one of the most powerful and popular chapters in the entire bible. In it, Paul describes with great detail what is means to live as a believer, both now and for eternity. The chapter begins, as well, with one of the most comforting statements in the entire bible. The previous chapter ended with Paul crying out in frustration about his wretchedness and asking who would deliver him from his “body of death”. He answered by giving thanks to God, through Jesus christ our Lord (Romans 7:25). Now he states absolutely why the gospel is such goodnews for all who believe. The Greek words translated as “there is therefore now no” are very emphatic. The literal phrasing is “oudeis ara nyn katakrima” which accomplishes two things. First, it ties this statement to the claim made in Romans 7:25 according to the word “therefore”. Second, it definitely states a permanent, present and complete lack of “condemnation”, from a Greek word meaning “a sentence” or “penalty”. In clear language, the bible indicates there is absolutely no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus. Paul’s statement leaves no room for even a tiny bit of condemnation to sneak in.
If you are “in Christ Jesus”, God will never, ever condemn you for any sin whatsoever. The condition of this statement, however, is crucial: Salvation is for those who place their faith in Christ (Romans 3:23-26). There is no other way (Acts 4:12), and those who reject this salvation will not be rescued from condemnation (John 3:18). How can this be? Paul has already built the case in chapters 3-5 of this letter to the Romans. When we place our faith in Christ, God so closely identifies us with His son that He gives us credit for Jesus’ sinless, righteous life, and He accepts Jesus’ death as payment for our death deserving sin. Paul put it this way in 2Corinthians 5:21, “For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”. So if God is judging us on the basis of Jesus’ righteousness, how could we ever be condemned? God would never condemn Jesus, so He will never condemn those who are seen by God as being in Christ. And how do we come to be “in Christ”? Only by faith. Glory!
INSTRUCTION: Consciously walk in your spiritual realities.
CONFESSION: I declare that nothing can separate me from the love of God because I am in Christ Jesus, in Jesus Name, Amen.
QUOTE: The man in Christ is in the law of the spirit of life.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: MATTHEW CHAPTER 6; EVENING: JOHN CHAPTER 4
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 