Meditations on Romans 8 - Now No Condemnation (Romans 8:1)

Some Christians have an incorrect understanding of meditation. They falsely think that meditation yields a “deeper meaning” of Scripture, and what they mean by “deeper meaning” is an explanation different from a plain interpretation based on a sound method of study.

But meditation doesn’t lead to strange interpretations of the Bible. In Reaching the Next Level I tried to emphasize the benefits of Biblical meditation and summarized that “while meditation doesn’t generate any interpretations which are foreign to the meaning of Scripture, it nevertheless does afford you the opportunity to delve deeper into a proper interpretation and implementation of God’s Word” (Reaching the Next Level, Leader Guide, page 73).

In light of this key point, let’s continue with our meditations through Romans 8 and turn our thoughts specifically to Paul’s words in Romans 8:1: “Now no condemnation.” What do these words mean, and how do they apply to the Christian’s life?

The glorious truth of these words is that Believers are free from condemnation or God’s just judgment since they are in Christ Jesus. While we will explore the words “in Christ Jesus” in a future post, we want to focus on the words “now no condemnation” here.

First, as I just alluded to above, the word “condemnation” refers to God’s just judgment. Because of our sin, we deserve God’s wrath. So the wrath of God is just. In fact, when Paul describes what Believers were in their unbelieving state in Ephesians 2, he writes, “Like [all other lost people], we were by nature objects of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3b).

Second, the word “now” is an adverb. It tells Christians “when” they are free from condemnation. The time is “now”! But it also extends into their future eternal destiny as well. The clear teaching of Romans 8 is that Believers are free from God’s just judgment today because they are in Christ, and since this is true, they can rest in the hope that they are free from God’s just judgment forever (see, for example, Romans 8:9-11, 31-39).

Third, the word “no” means in no respect. As Believers who are in Christ Jesus, our freedom from condemnation is full. There is no sense in which we will be “condemned” by God because Christ has paid the penalty for our sin and has fulfilled all the righteous requirements of the Law on our behalf (Romans 8:3-4).

So what are some points to ponder light of the truth that there is “now no condemnation” for those who are in Christ Jesus?

• We are not who we were. There is “now” no condemnation. Obviously, there was a time when we were condemned. Do you remember what life was like when you were lost? I’m not talking about “living in the past;” I’m talking about celebrating God’s deliverance from the past!

Paul told the Believers at Ephesus to “remember” who they once were apart from Christ. Among other things, he reminded them in Ephesians 2:11-13 that they were once separated from Christ, without hope, and without God, but “now” in Christ they have been brought near through Jesus’ blood.

Oh, the glorious truth of who you are "now" as a Believer in Christ! While we don’t see right now all that we shall be (see 1 John 3:1-3), we thank God that we are not who we used to be. We were blind, but “now” we see. We were lost, but “now” we’re found. We were dead, but “now” we’re alive. We were not a people, but “now” we are the people of God. We were in the kingdom of darkness, but “now” we are in the Kingdom of God’s dear Son. There is “now” no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

• Christ is our perfect righteousness. Apart from Christ there is nothing but condemnation. In Christ there is no condemnation! Peter tells us that “Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18a). John writes that “if anybody does sin [and we all stumble in many ways, see James 3:2], we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1b). Paul also says that “God made [Christ] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

I know this news sounds “too-good-to-be-true”, but it is true! Christ took our sin upon Himself and gave us His perfect righteousness. All of this is true “now” for those who are in Him. God now relates to us as He relates to His Son, the Lord Jesus, because we are in Christ. We have a standing before the Father as His adopted children (Romans 8:15-16). We have peace with God; we have gained access to God; and we rejoice in the settled assurance of one day seeing His glory (Romans 5:1-2). Again, all of this is true “now” because we are in Christ!

• We are free. Since Christ paid the penalty of our sin in full, we are free in Him! Believers are called to stand firm daily in the freedom Jesus has given them through His finished work. Paul says in Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

The implication of Galatians 5:1 is painfully clear: Although Christ’s death and resurrection secures the Believer’s freedom, this doesn’t mean Believers are standing firm in their freedom. Far too many times, I personally struggle with living in light of this truth. I grab the broken cuffs of sin at my feet and latch them back onto my wrist through my legalistic efforts to live the Christian life.

Legalism is poison. Simply put: Legalism is the false view that says I have to live a certain way in order to gain God’s approval. Legalism magnifies my performance and scorns Christ’s finished work. It is bondage – the opposite of the freedom Christ came to give in Himself.

Romans 8:1 reminds us to focus on Christ alone. There is “now no condemnation” for those who are “in Christ”. Jesus is everything! When I focus on myself, I’m in bondage. When I focus on Christ, I stand firm in freedom because He is my freedom.

So how are we living today – reaching for the shackles of legalism or resting and rejoicing in the finished work of Christ? Are we living by our flawed attempts to merit God’s approval through our fleshly performance, or are we trusting in Christ alone? Remember: Outside of Christ, there is nothing but condemnation, but in Christ, there is now no condemnation!