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"No condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus..."

Text: Romans 8:1

UNFLATTERING REALITY

When Paul wrote about the doctrine of sin, he could not help but describe very painful truths. They were truths that just needed to be spoken about most candidly even though they were most unflattering!

1. It is wrong

a) To dismiss sin lightly;

b) To portray the Christian life as being free from struggles with sin;

c) To mix the truths.

i) Positional righteousness (absolute)

ii) Personal righteousness (relative)

2. It is right

a) To state that the sin nature has indeed been crucified to death;

b) To declare that the sin principle (the sin problem) continues;

c) To observe that sin is difficult to defeat even with the new nature God has given to us;

d) To note that sin can get the upper hand easily because of human weaknesses.

AN IMPORTANT TRUTH TO PROCLAIM

Where does this leave the believer? Paul had not come to the end of God’s plan of redemption. There was more to be revealed. God in His grace and love had given to all believers the Holy Spirit (pneumatology). This doctrine merited as much space for careful study as the doctrine of sin.

In order to assure the believer Paul began his discourse on the subject of the Spirit of God with these words.

“There is therefore now no condemnation,
to those who are in Christ Jesus,
who do not walk according to the flesh,
but according to the Spirit.”
Romans 8:1

What a wonderful truth to hold on to! We will not come under judgment. There will be no condemnation to all who have placed their faith in Christ. God’s offer of justification by faith will not be overcome by the law of sin. Thank God indeed!