Thursday, July 2, 2026
No Condemnation – Romans 8:1-4 - Submitted by Kay Crumley
This chapter opens with ‘Therefore’ so I had to look at the previous chapter to see what Paul was drawing the conclusion from. He had discussed the problem of sin for the believer in the last few verses of Chapter 7. Paul declared that he knows what is good but the evil (sinful nature) within him leads him to sin. Verse 7:25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. He has paid the price for our sin and taking the guilt upon Himself on the cross.
We are rescued from our evil nature when we accept the gift of salvation. As a result of that, we are no longer living in condemnation.
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus 2 because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering, 4 in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
As believers we live under a different law, new rules apply to our lives. The law of the Spirit of Life frees us from the guilt of sin. Not because we don’t sin but because Jesus’ death on the cross has covered that sin with His sacrifice. We no longer live under the Law of Moses that requires sacrifices since Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient for all for all time.
The law with all its 300+ rules was not enough. In our human nature we are sinful. We cannot stop breaking one or more of those laws. Jesus went deeper in explaining that it was not only what physical actions we take but also how we think, even wish for, that is sinful. The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 7:18 that even when he wants to do what is right, he can’t because of his sinful nature. We all have that same battle.
However, we no longer must walk according to that earthly/sinful nature. We have a new destination. Our life and heart are focused on following the will of God for His glory. Our eyes are no longer on self but on Savior. We have a new Master. He is the power in which we live. That requires that we depend fully on Him. All our fears, hurts, and ambitions are now in His hands. He is our rock, our fortress, our firm foundation so we no longer fear what lies ahead. The law of the Spirit is fulfilled in us daily as we dedicate ourselves to Him. It is a daily decision to turn in His direction by leaning into His power that lives in us through the Holy Spirit.
What a relief we have. We are no longer subject to the pressures of society, the opinions of those in the world, but we are fully accepted by Him. He is our creator and knows us by name. He loves His creation. We can rest in that assurance daily.
