Comfort in Christ – No Condemnation

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ~ Romans 8:1

                        Dear, suffering heart,

            If you are in Christ, you may take this to heart in your sufferings: there in therefore now no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Once, “In Adam,” you were condemned (Romans 5:12). Now, if you are hidden in Christ; if He has spread His saving wings of grace over your soul; if He is your fortress against your own guilt, shame from others (deserved or undeserved), and the wrath of God, then you can let these words run over you like the cool breeze of Spring: there is now no condemnation for you.

            You might be suffering as “a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler” (1 Peter 4:15) – and Peter does not say not to be ashamed for those crimes. Though they take you off to the prison for something you are justly punished for, still there remains hope. If you seek God’s forgiveness in Christ, there is no condemnation for you – not from God! From Him, there is only grace upon grace.

            Suffering Christian, do not let Satan convince you that you are suffering under the wrath of God. There is no wrath for those who are in Christ Jesus, because God has no wrath for His Son! God does discipline those He loves (Hebrews 12:6), yes, but He does not do so wantonly (Lamentations 3:33). Indeed, whatever disciple we receive is a sign of His love, not of His wrath – He is treating you like sons because you are saved in His Son!

            If you have not taken your refuge in Christ – the door is open for you! Though you be shut up in a cell, the door to the very throne of God is unlocked for you! “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf” (Hebrews 6:19-20). Place your confidence in Christ, and in that confidence “draw near to the throne of grace, that [you] may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

            It is far better and a far greater joy to suffer as a Christian to the glory of God for being a Christian (1 Peter 4:16). Yet, even if you suffer as an evildoer, God will not forsake you even then if you are His child. God would have you plead on His mercy and turn to Him away from your sins, though you should have made a clean break from those sins (1 Peter 4:15). He will not be unfaithful to forgive those whom He has called to Himself. Then, glorify God in that name: Forgiven.

            The Apostle Paul wrote the words “there is therefore now no condemnation” after he had described the spiritual struggles with sin of a child of God (Romans 7:13-25). How can he switch so quickly between describing his struggles with sin and exclaiming “there is now no condemnation?” Simply, because of Jesus! Because all his trust, in spite of his struggles with sin, were on Christ!

Because Christ has been set forth “a propitiation through faith in His blood” (Romans 3:25); because He was “delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25); because by the obedience of the One the many (believers of all ages) are “made righteous,” constituted so, legally, (Romans 5:19); because believers have “died (judicially) to sin” (Romans 6:2); because they have “died” to the condemning power of the law (Romans 7:4), there is “therefore now NO CONDEMNATION.”[1]

            How can your guilt that seems so near be removed? How can guilt be removed from the sinner who believes?

Let the Scriptures answer: “As far as the east is from the west so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalms 103:12). “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions” (Isaiah 43:25). “Thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back” (Isaiah 38:17). “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17).[2]

It is God who does it. We are no help at all in saving ourselves from condemnation. We must only cast our souls on Him for mercy!

            There is no condemnation whatsoever for the one who is in Christ.

No condemnation from the law, or on account of inward corruption, or because Satan can substantiate a charge against me; there is none from any source or for any cause at all. “No condemnation” means that none at all is possible; that none ever will be.[3]

Why? Because no one can condemn Christ, and you are hidden in Him. You can no more be condemned than Christ not be raised from the dead, or you be separated from His love (Romans 8:33-35)! “Immunity from condemnation does not depend in any-wise upon our ‘walk,’ but solely on our being ‘in Christ.’”[4]

Dear, suffering Christian: There is no condemnation now for you, now that you are in Christ Jesus!

            Yours truly,

                        A fellow partaker in suffering and comfort (2 Corinthians 1:7)

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[1] A.W. Pink, Comfort for Christians, https://ccel.org/ccel/pink/comfort/comfort?queryID=31666438&resultID=940

[2] A.W. Pink, Comfort for Christians, https://ccel.org/ccel/pink/comfort/comfort?queryID=31666438&resultID=940

[3] A.W. Pink, Comfort for Christians, https://ccel.org/ccel/pink/comfort/comfort?queryID=31666438&resultID=940

[4] A.W. Pink, Comfort for Christians, https://ccel.org/ccel/pink/comfort/comfort?queryID=31666438&resultID=940