Romans 8:1: No Condemnation

Romans 8:1.. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

The above verse is one of the most popular verses referenced when dealing with our sin. But what does it mean? Let us find out.

When each of us sin, we deserve the wrath of God. This is what we can clearly see from the firist three chapters of Romans. However God has saved us by grace through faith, as we see in the second portion of Romans. But in the last chapter, we saw how Paul still had this inner conflict with sin, even after he was saved. That raises a breat question: what do we do with our sin, and what does our sin do to us? Paul answers the second question here in Romans 8:1, by telling us that our sin does not condemn us any longer.

There truly is now no condemnation. What does this mean? It means that no matter how great a sin we commit, we cannot lose our salvation. It means that no matter how much we fall, God will not abandon us. It means that no matter how badly we mess up, God is there for forgive us.

But here's the question: do we truly believe that? Do we truly believe that there is no condemnation? For to disbelieve in this promise would surely be to lack faith, so let us not do so. I think that so often we do not believe this promise, because so often I see fellow Christians depressed, overly sorrowful, and "totally down." Now, let me be clear here, the Bible permits sorrow, and even praises it for its goodness as times as it can teach us many things. However, there is a certain state of sorrow and depression that a Christian ought to never enter into, because he has assurance of his salvation. Yes, there are perfectly acceptable reasons to be sorrowful and even, for a time, depressed as a Christian, but there are also perfectly unacceptable reasons to be this way. We must trust that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, that we might not sin by lacking faith in God's promises.

So, do you trust that you are no longer condemned, that is if you are in Christ Jesus? If yes, praise the Lord! If no, why not? Are you still trying to earn salvation by your works, and having a pity party for yourself when you fail, not believing that Christ condemns you no longer? Let this not be, my fellow Christian. Rather, delight in the fact that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.