“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
This is the essence of the gospel, the good news, friend. That though we deserve condemnation because of our sin, there is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
What is the meaning of condemnation?
to declare to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usually after weighing evidence and without reservation 2a: to pronounce guilty: convict. b: sentence, doom condemn a prisoner to die.
Merriam-Webster dictionary
Why this matters – here’s the nitty-gritty:
Our sin separates us from God.
“But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”
Isaiah 59:2
We cannot be in relationship with God unless our sin has been atoned for. The payment for our sin is death.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
NO ONE is without sin. Therefore, we should ALL be condemned, to be pronounced guilty.
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” Romans 3:23
“As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one.” Romans 3:10
God paid our penalty for us through His son, Jesus Christ, through His death on the cross. His death was the payment, once and for all, for all sin.
“Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.” Romans 5:18 ESV
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”. Galatians 3:13 ESV
“…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
God loves us and wants to be in relationship with us.
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 ESV
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17 ESV
Jesus’ death for our sins is a free gift to us that must be received.
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 10:9-10 ESV
You see, putting your faith in Jesus, declaring Him Lord, is to live a life of freedom. Despite what our culture teaches us, sin is slavery. There is no true joy, peace, or freedom in our sin. We must repent (turn away) from sin.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…” Acts 3:19
It’s not about anything that you can or cannot do, or being good enough. It’s all about what God has already done. He just asks us to come as we are.
Don’t wait to clean yourself up, trying to deem yourself worthy of His gift. You never will be clean enough or worthy by your own doing. That’s the whole point of the gospel. That’s why we desperately need Christ. We simply CANNOT, EVER, earn it.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.” Romans 11:6
“But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,” Titus 3:4-6 NIV
Accepting God’s gift of salvation is not about abiding by a bunch of rules and regulations. It’s not about religious duty. It’s about a personal relationship with a perfect God who sees us, loves us, delights in us, and longs to be with us.
Not just to secure our eternal future with Him in heaven, but to commune with Him, declaring Him Lord of our lives. It is to seek Him and His glory instead of our own. It is to lay our lives at His feet in faith and trust.
Have you accepted God’s gift to you?
In Grace & Truth,
Brenna ♥
P.S. Want to learn more? Here is a short five-minute audio clip from Pastor John Piper explaining “What Must I Believe to be Saved?“
P.P.S. Struggling to believe that God forgives you? Check out my post, “Will God forgive me for having an affair?“ Even if you have not had an affair, this post is about God forgiveness of sin, regardless if your sin does not look like mine… 🙂
