Romans 8:1 New Living Translation
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”
On the heels of Chapter 7 & the sin that Paul struggled with we find first, at the end of that chapter his assertion that Christ shalldeliver him from his “body of death”. Paul then makes this declaration at the beginning of the following chapter (shown above). The word condemnation shows up in the New Testament 3 times, all in Romans (see footnotes). The word condemnation is the opposite of justification. To be condemned means you’ve received a guilty verdict and the penalty associated with that verdict. To be justified means your penalty has been paid in full and your standing with God is as if you had never committed those sins. “No sin a believer can commit—past, present, or future—can be held against him, since the penalty was paid by Christ and righteousness was imputed to the believer. And no sin will ever reverse this divine legal decision” (1)
Once we become saved our sin nature doesn’t leave us. We struggle with it the rest of our lives. Having said that we know that by virtue of Christ’s victory over sin and death, we are no longer bound by sin, but free to live a godly life as led by the Spirit who resides within. It is only with divine assistance that we can overcome our sinful tendencies for good. “The Spirit of God takes up residence in each believer and supplies the power we need to overcome the pull of the sin nature within us.” (2)
God’s plan for believers is that they be sanctified when Jesus returns. Sanctification is both instantaneous & progressive. Because of the blood Christ shed on our behalf we stand instantly sanctified, pure, holy & righteous in the sight of God. In reality, our sanctification takes our entire life. It is a daily walk with God. We don’t suddenly get jettisoned into a future life of holy perfection. There are trials and tests to come to hone your faith and build your trust in the Almighty. Always remember, when facing a difficult situation or temptation, learn to shift your focus off the situation & onto the one who can change the trajectory of your life with one single word. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
(1) The MacArthur Study Bible.
(2) https://www.gotquestions.org/sin-nature.html
Romans 5:16(NLT) “And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.”
Romans 5:18(NLT) “Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.”
Romans 6:11(NLT) “So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.”
John 3:6“It is through Christ that we are born again. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
2 Corinthians 5:17“When we are born of Adam, we inherit his sin nature; but when we are born again in Christ, we inherit a new nature: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Ephesians 4:22-24(NLT) “…throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
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