ECHOaustin

Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.”

What an incredible declaration for the Christian.  Let’s break this verse down to mine its depth.

“Therefore”

This word refers to all the truth that Paul has been explaining for the last 7 chapters.  The facts preceding the “Therefore” are

                        Rom 5 — We are justified by faith & freed from the wrath to come

                        Rom 6 — We are completely identified w/ Christ & freed from sin’s reign

                        Rom 7 — We have died to sin’s power, even though we still struggle

                        Rom 8 — Even though we still struggle w/ sin, We Are Not Condemned!

“Now”

The significance of the word now.

                        * Our freedom from condemnation is not something we are waiting for

                        * Rather, our freedom from condemnation is something we enjoy NOW!

                        * There is NOW no condemnation — (No “Katakrima” = “Punishment”)

                        * This is present tense

                        * This is our experience right now & will be our experience forever!

“No Condemnation”

Suppose that you are on trial in a courtroom for a capital offense. Your life hangs in the balance. A guilty verdict will mean death, and a not-guilty verdict will mean freedom and life. And suppose the judge says to you: “This is how I will deal with this. I will acquit you right now, decisively and irrevocably, and release you so that you can go and live a free and joyful and loving life that shows you really are not a rebellious, crime-loving law breaker, though you have been.”

In Christ we have:

                        * Freedom from the wrath to come

                        * Freedom from the bondage of sin

                        * Freedom from the guilt produced by the law

                        * Freedom from the condemnation of failure

 “In Christ”

Through faith in Christ we are now identified with Christ.  As a result of our faith and identification with Him (see John 5:24). We’re justified, declared righteous, and therefore stand in His grace (Rom. 5:2) and not under His wrath (1:18), and possess eternal life (5:17-18, 21). Christ is the sphere of safety for all who are identified with Him by faith. (notes from Bible Knowledge Commentary)