There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
“When the message of Romans gets into a man’s heart, there’s no telling what may happen!” James Packer’s comment on Romans is certainly true of Romans 8:1.
“No” is such a short word, but it carries complete and absolute finality here. No condemnation. None. Zero. You are completely and eternally set free from condemnation.
When is this true? When you get to heaven? No. It’s true right now. “There is therefore now no condemnation.”
Who is this true for? Is it true of good people? People who never fail? People who are superstar Christians? People who try hard to please God? People who measure up?
No. It’s true for people who are in Christ Jesus. That’s it. They are joined, by faith, to Christ. The blood of Jesus cleanses them from all sin, past, present, and future.
The famed psychiatrist, Karl Menninger, once said that if he could convince the patients in psychiatric hospitals that their sins were forgiven, 75 percent of them could walk out the next day.
If you have failed in your marriage, there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. If you have fallen into sexual sin, there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. If you have struggled with alcoholism or drug addiction, there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. If you have committed some horrible sin, there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. If you are a self-centered jerk, there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. The blood of Jesus cleanses you of all your sin.
There is an ocean of love, grace and peace in this one verse! Stand on it. Cling to it. Believe it!