According to Romans 8, verse 1, there is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus. From chapter seven, we see the conflict between the sinful flesh and the desire to do good. The flesh is sinful, meaning our inordinate desires of the mind cause our bodies to sin. However, our mindful spirit’s desires wish to follow Christ’s life. We want to be good disciples, but the spirit of our flesh wants to be evil. Paul asks the question, “Who will set me free from the body of death?”
The answer is in Romans 8:1, as stated above. Several words bear a closer look.
Now
Now is a “time” word. It’s not past, but present, going on into the future as long as the earth survives. We look to Jesus now to be set free from the body of death. The Old Testament Mosaic law could not set us free from the bondage of death. There was no perfect sacrifice under the Old Testament that could do so. So, we need Jesus.
Since Jesus has overcome death as a sinless, perfect sacrifice, we go to Him for our salvation and eternal life in heaven with Him. 2 Corinthians 2:6 has this: “for He says, ‘AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.’ Behold, now is ‘THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,’ behold, now is ‘THE DAY OF SALVATION.’” The word “now” is used twice. It means at this moment, today, right now, the time for salvation is now.
We’re not waiting for a future Savior. Our Savior, Jesus, has already completed His work of God’s grace leading to salvation. Now, everyone must turn to Jesus for salvation. The body will die, but the soul/spirit lives on eternally. The choice is up to us. We accept Jesus as our Savior, or we accept the devil for torment.
Condemnation
It means a damnatory sentence. One who is tried for a crime will receive an acquittal or guilty judgment. Being found guilty, he receives the punishment for his crime.
In the spiritual sense, condemnation means one is sentenced to hell. See Matthew 25:46. No one in their right mind wants to hear the sentence of hell. Oh, we’re all guilty of sin. We all deserve to live eternally in hell. But thanks be to God that He sent His Son to die for us so that all who accept Him as Savior may live eternally in heaven. Romans 6:23 has this: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Death means eternal separation from God in hell. Torment. Punishment. Everlasting flame.
But in Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation. Everyone who is faithfully in Christ receives eternal peace, joy, and contentment in heaven.
In Christ Jesus
There is only one way to be in Christ. It’s stated in Galatians 3:26-27: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.“ Only believing souls undergoing baptism are in Christ.
Conclusion
Believe in Jesus as God’s Son sent to seek and save the lost, Luke 19:10. Be in Christ Jesus where there is no condemnation. Be with Him eternally in heaven.
Garland Van Dyke
mailto:garland.churchofchrist@gmail.com?subject=No Condemnation