There is NO Condemnation

I am continuing my backtracking in Paul's letter to the Romans.  This morning I am looking at the following verses - Romans 8:1-4 NIV:

[1] "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, [2] because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. [3] 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, [4] 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."

What an awesome set of verses to meditate upon!  First, the final statement of Paul's conclusions from Chapter Seven, therefore (because of his reasoning previously) there is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. It is important to note, this is not less condemnation, but a complete absence of condemnation.  How can that be, if we still are sinners, if we still sin daily?  Many of our churches preach forgiveness to a point, but always the danger of condemnation and judgement in the future, yet Paul clearly states there is no condemnation!

This is such a powerful point - if there is no condemnation than there can be no punishment, for that follows judgment and/or condemnation. The Greek word which is the root of the word used by Paul is Katakrino, and it means "to give judgment against, to judge worthy of punishment".  Again, if there is no condemnation, there is no judgment, and no punishment!  How often do we wonder if God is punishing us when we become sick or something bad happens?  This simple statement from Paul destroys that way of thinking.  If we are in Christ Jesus (if we have accepted His salvation and are in relationship with Him), then there is NO condemnation, NO punishment!  Amen!

The why of the above statement becomes clear, as Paul describes the Law of the Spirit who gives life.  The basis of the Law of the Spirit is simple, Jesus took our place, took our punishment, and met the requirements of the Law.  These requirements are met in us, through the indwelling of Christ.  His sacrifice becomes ours and  gets applied to our lives.  This is why there is no condemnation, no punishment, no judgement, because Jesus' sacrifice is applied to us, when we are in Him (and He is in us).  As Paul says later, we are hidden in Christ (Col 3:3), and as such have been set free from the law of sin and death (verse 2 above).  God will not punish us, because we are in Christ!

Paul continues on that the Law (Old Covenant) was powerless because it was weakened by flesh.  In other words no man was capable of meeting the requirements of the Law, but Jesus , the sinless one, the very Son of God, became a sin offering for us all.  Again, Jesus met the requirements of the law for us all.  The Law of the Spirit is really this, Jesus took our place, and we receive His place! We receive freedom and life when the requirements of the Law would condemn us to death. We now live hidden in Christ, empowered by Spirit, receiving life from the Spirit, and living according to the Spirit.  As Paul says a few verses later, the very Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is now living in us (Rom 8:11). Wow!

This morning I continue to be aware of the fact that I only grasp a very small potion of this reality.  Lord, help to understand, to apply, to walk in this truth!  Your purpose in all this was that we might live free! Jesus, You said in John 8:36 NIV: "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."  I desire to live this reality!  Help me Lord to experience and embrace that which You provide to me, and to us all!