Uncondemned

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

As Easter approaches and we prepare to celebrate the death and resurrection of our Savior, this passage takes on even more significance. Because of Christ’s sacrifice in payment of my sin, I can rest in the confidence that I am forgiven. I am in Christ Jesus: there is no condemnation.

And yet…

Sometimes we as believers don’t feel this verse to be true. We go to pray and feel our petitions go no further than the ceiling. We feel dull, defeated, lifeless, and all the guilt of the past seems to flood in upon us. We begin to feel hopeless and, well, condemned.

But how good it is to remember that emotions do not determine reality! For the saved in Christ, forgiveness is not only free, but final! Our sins, once covered by the blood of Christ, are gone, nevermore to return. (Psalm 103:11-12)

So why do we sometimes feel the condemnation Christ has already abolished?

The answer is found in this same verse. Did you notice who it says there is no condemnation for? “them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

If you are living under the burden of condemnation, there are two possible reasons, both found in this same verse:

In Christ Jesus

The first and most obvious reason someone might feel they are still under God’s righteous condemnation is because they are.

Each person needs to accept Christ’s gift of salvation for his or herself. You cannot be free from condemnation through being born into a Christian family, or being baptized into a church as a child. The gospel is given clearly throughout the New Testament, and always comes down to personal, individual repentance and faith.

If you’re feeling the weight of condemnation, search your heart: Have you repented of your sins, admitting them to God (who already knows all about them) ready to turn from them and leave them behind as you follow Christ? Have you placed your faith in Christ’s finished work, trusting that He has already paid the penalty for your sins?

If so, there is no condemnation for you. God the Father looks at you and sees the righteousness of Christ!

Walking after the Spirit

It is, however, possible to be “in Christ,” as Romans 8:1 puts it, and still experience that feeling of condemnation. This could stem from two sources: either it is conviction from God, or accusation from Satan.

Romans 2:4 tells us that the goodness of God leads to repentance. The goal of conviction is to prompt us to confess and forsake sin that has not been dealt with yet. Conviction from God will always lead us to action: confessing, forsaking, making things right with God and others.

Satan, on the other hand, accuses. After all, his goal is “to steal, to kill, and to destroy.” (John 10:10)

While conviction leads to action, accusation leads to immobilizing guilt, fear, depression, and despair. Conviction brings us to the place of restoration with God and others, accusation leads us away into a prison of guilt.

If you are in Christ, there is no condemnation for you as you walk in the Spirit and not after the flesh. We walk in the Spirit simply by choosing to say yes to God and no to sin. As we do, we experience the freedom and joy that come from being uncondemned before God.

No condemnation—are you living that reality today?

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 6:25