Day #155 - Not Condemned
The Presence - A Devotional for living in Thanksgiving, Worship and Wonder
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:1 NIV
Do you like courtroom movies?
My wife and I enjoy a good courtroom drama or thriller. Courtroom stories are powerful because they deal with issues of such gravity. When someone is on trial for a serious crime their life as they know it could be over. It could be life in prison or even the death penalty. When the story implies that the defendant could be innocent and is being falsely accused the stakes are even higher. But what a powerful sense of freedom, relief and justice when they are proven not guilty in the end.
The greatest teaching on our salvation in the Bible (in my opinion) is from Romans 3-8. Paul is unpacking the good news for us in chapter after chapter. One of the many high points of revelation from God is found in Romans 8:1 when Paul announces, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
What is this verse saying? In Christ you are not guilty! You are not condemned now because you are in Christ. We are not doomed. We are not under shame. We can stand in “the Presence” forgiven and free as children of God.
When I worked retail as a young adult, I had become very zealous for the Lord and I wanted everyone in my life to know Jesus. I was inviting a lot of my co-workers to church at this time and a common response from people who didn’t even believe in Christ, was they were scared they would burst into flames or be struck by lightning. Which is strange to not believe in Him but be so scared of Him.
I’m afraid many Christians don’t have the proper fear of God but are actually afraid to approach God because of unresolved condemnation. Christian, if you are in Christ, you have no need of recoiling in fear from God. For God has placed you in Christ and that is a place without condemnation. You are no longer condemned to judgement because of your sin because Christ has made you new through death and resurrection.
What an amazing thing that Christ has done for us that we can come with no condemnation before a perfect and holy God. What love.
Father God, thank you for the gift of Jesus. Thank you for placing me in Christ so that I am free from condemnation. I am not guilty. I am forgiven and free to approach Your presence. What incredible love You have bestowed upon me. Deliver me from thoughts that push me away in condemnation and let me live in the truth of this victory. In Jesus name, amen.
Thank You John for sharing these words... I REALLY needed to hear this today! : )
When I was in my medical residency, I was repeatedly over apologizing. I said , “I’m sorry” whenever I made a minimal mistake or misspoke. Not a good thing, especially for a fledgling doc trying to fly. My pastor noted this and told me to put my name in Romans 8:1: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for me Tom Giesecke who is in Christ Jesus.” My this sword of the Spirit the accuser fled.