“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”
– Romans 8:1; NIV
The devil wants us to think that there is no condemnation for us if we follow the 10 commandments. Or that there’s no condemnation for us if we give away all of our belongings to the poor. Or that there’s no condemnation for us if, and only if, we read our Bibles at least 1 hour a day.
But that’s not what the Bible says. The Bible says that there is no condemnation for us if we’re in Christ. Not if we walk like Christ with sinless perfection. All we need is to be in Christ. How? By accepting His finished work on the cross, forever reconciling us to God.
Of course we don’t want to sin. Of course we want to walk holy. But that is not the requirements for us to be free from condemnation.
Why is there no condemnation for those in Christ?
Much like a thief who gets sentenced once, goes to prison and when he is released, he has paid off his punishment; Jesus took our sins and was punished for them on the cross once and for all:
“And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10; NIV, emphasis added by me)
God punished our sins in Jesus. Jesus carried our condemnation and paid the price for our sins.
So when you sin (and you will, from time to time sin), remember this: Jesus paid for that sin on the cross. God is not condemning you, nor making you pay for that sin — ever again. It was paid for by Jesus once and for all.
So come boldly to God’s throne of grace — finding Him welcoming you, His beloved child, with open arms.
