No Condemnation

Vicky Moots, Pastor

Kingman, Kansas

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus...” This verse in the original Greek actually ends here with “Christ Jesus.” The rest of it, which states, “... who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit,” was placed in this verse by the translators. That last statement belongs down in v. 4 where it has been rightfully placed. 

So, to whom is there “no condemnation”? Only to those who are “in Christ Jesus.” But, how do we get “in Christ Jesus”? The moment that we are born again, we are “in Christ Jesus.” That becomes our new abode. We are no longer a part of the old creation, as Paul proclaims in II Cor. 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”

Can there ever be any condemnation to a true believer, a born again child of God? No! Because the condemnation for our sins fell upon Christ Jesus on the cross, as we read in Isa. 53:5: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him...”

Paul stated emphatically at the beginning of Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation...” This is not something that we have to work for or hope for in the future. It is present tense because the penalty has already been paid. Jesus pronounced the work of redemption to be complete when He cried out on the cross, “It is finished.” We do not have to earn our deliverance or wait for it to happen. Our freedom from condemnation is now and forever.

God no longer sees us in the old creation, but “in Christ,” a new creation. In Christ there is no condemnation: none, zero, zilch! We are safely hid in Him, and God will not pour out our condemnation on His Son again. 

Jesus spoke these words regarding condemnation in John 3:17: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” The law condemned any and all who were unable to keep it, and no one was able to keep it. The law showed up sin and brought death to the sinner, but Jesus fulfilled the law being made a curse for us. He bore the condemnation for all those who believe in His name. Jesus affirmed this in v. 18 by stating, “He that believeth on him [the Son] is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Paul then continues on in Romans 8:2 to explain further about our freedom from condemnation: “For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Sin and death ruled when we were still in the old creation. But, now, in Christ Jesus, as a new creation, sin has no more power over us, and we are free from condemnation. If we sin, we are instructed in I John 1:9 to confess our sins: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Our Father loves us enough to forgive us, and to cleanse us, and also to chasten us.

Paul informs us in Heb. 11:6-7 of the reason for God’s chastening: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as sons; For what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not.”

As children of God, if we are disobedient, we can, and will, be chastened by our Heavenly Father, but never condemned.