No Condemnation | Romans 8:1-2

Romans 8:1-2 (ESV) | "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." 

If we are living by the Spirit then we are subject to the Law of the Spirit. Before God regenerated us, we were slaves to the law of sin and death. The law of sin and death told us, "you must sin; you will die". In Christ, however, we are free from this law due to a greater law - "the law of the Spirit of life". The same way that the law of aerodynamics supersedes the law of gravity, the law of the Spirit of life supersedes the law of sin and death. This means that sin no longer has the right to control us and death no longer has the final word over us. For this reason, Romans 8:1 declares, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."


The word "condemnation" means "accusation". Thayer's Greek dictionary defines "condemnation" as "a damnatory sentence" against us. God does not, and will not, condemn us. This glorious truth is applied only to those who are "in Christ Jesus". This refers to all Christians. Being in full union with Jesus, God's wrath passed over us, and His righteousness has been imputed to us. For this reason, we are free and clear from all "damnatory sentences" against us. God does not condemn His Son, therefore God does not condemn us because we are in Him.


The truth of Romans 8:1-2 must be apprehended and applied by every Christian. Too often Christians live as if they're still bound to the law of sin and death. This, however, is not the right way to live in Christ. The Christian life is one of freedom - freedom from sin's control; from the fear of death; from condemnation. By daily reminding ourselves and believing the fact that we are no longer subject to the law of sin and death, we can move forward in the Christian life in real victory and liberty, living under the Law of the Spirit of life. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."