Monday, October 2, 2017

No Condemnation in Christ!


"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).

Romans 8:1 is one of the most glorious verses in all the Bible. It declares that in Christ there is no condemnation for us. The beauty of this verse lies in that it comes right after Romans 7 where Paul makes it very clear there is still much sin in us. But wonder of wonders, though there is still much sin, there is now no condemnation!

Paul is not saying there is nothing in our lives that merits condemnation. In fact, since you and I were born again, we have repeatedly done things that deserve nothing but God’s wrath and judgment. If God were to judge us based on our behavior, we would be condemned. But we have a Savior, and it is because we are “in Christ Jesus” that we are not condemned.

When God looks at us He sees us covered by the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and that is why we are not condemned. The atonement of Christ is applied to us and to our sins. We have escaped from the wrath to come, and we never have to worry about future condemnation.

The New Testament often calls upon men to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. The New Testament also repeatedly speaks of believers as being “in Jesus Christ.” Just from the English, it would seem that the same idea is being expressed in these two phrases, but that is not so. The phrase “believe in Christ” uses the Greek word eis, which literally means “into.” Putting our initial trust in Christ involves motion into His kingdom. But once we have come in, then we are inside. Thus, the idea of being “in Christ” uses a different word, the Greek word en, which means “inside.” The believer, who has moved into Christ by faith, now resides in mystical union with Christ, in whom there is no condemnation.

Paul has been called the apostle of the heart set free. It’s easy to see why. The verdict has been rendered—Not guilty! There is no condemnation and no future judgment to be brought against us. Focus your thoughts and prayer time today on the liberty you possess through the verdict rendered by the Supreme Judge of all the earth. When the Son has set you free, you are free indeed!