No Condemnation

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4

“Therefore,” because of our deliverance from sin and death (Romans 7:24-25), there is NO CONDEMNATION for those who are IN CHRIST JESUS!

We’ve seen that the law revealed sin. Mankind had no definition for sin until the law was given. In defining sin, the law brought our realization of spiritual death, because the law could not produce life. That can only mean condemnation for all mankind, for we are all born in Adam’s likeness: sinful flesh. Old sin nature. Despair. Through Christ Jesus, though, the Holy Spirit has set us free from that judgment. Jesus took our judgment on the cross. He was the only human qualified to do so, because He was without sin of His own.

What does “no condemnation” actually mean? It means that, since our sins were all atoned for and we have received that atonement on our behalf, we who believe in Jesus will not have to face an accounting at the Great White Throne. Jesus paid. It means that our daily lives are now empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in fellowship with God and obey Him in our attitudes and actions.

Jesus came not to destroy the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). He did that, perfectly, removing that obstacle between us and the Father. It is the Father’s plan, the Son’s finished work and the Holy Spirit’s occupation. We were saved by God and we are in His constant care. Secure IN CHRIST.

“I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25

“as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12

“For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hebrews 10:14

We don’t have to live according to the flesh (old sin nature) anymore. Now we are able to live according to the Holy Spirit Who indwells us, producing divine good from the source of God’s very own righteousness.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8

There is no compromise. The conflict rages between the old sin nature and the Holy Spirit. There are no degrees of spirituality. You are spiritual or you are carnal at any given moment. Only those things done in the power of the Holy Spirit are acceptable to God as good. We continue to have that choice. The Bible is filled with biographies of believers who made wrong decisions, indulged their flesh, cultivated sinful pleasures and human viewpoint, to their own sorrow. No believer has to maintain that lifestyle, though. It is a matter of personal volition day by day. If you’ve made a mess of things, claim I John 1:9. God can turn your life around on a dime. And He will, when you submit to His authority. You’ll be glad you did.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Romans 8:9-11

Remember Whose you are! If you have believed in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in you. It is His job to give life to your soul, even as your body is gradually dying. He raised Jesus from the dead. He is in the life-giving business, and the life He has given supersedes the power of sin and death.

The penalty for our sins has been paid. We don’t need to dwell on those sins. Now we can enjoy new life in the Spirit. It's an attitude adjustment.