There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. – Romans 8:1
As it has been said, “When you see ‘therefore’ in the Bible, you look to see what it is there for.” Romans 7 is the well-known passage where Paul describes the struggle between the fleshly person and the spiritual person. “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19). He goes on to say, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin” (Romans 7:24-25).
And then on to today’s verse, “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” It may appear that Paul is saying to believe in Jesus, but go ahead and sin. He continues in Romans 8 to clarify that this is not what he meant. From the time you say “I do” to Christ, you are saved and forgiven, but not perfect. You learn to walk in the Spirit and let the “flesh” die off. Paul put it this way, “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13).
Thank God for the peace you have in Christ. Continue to follow the Spirit’s guidance. Pray for the citizens and officials of the United States to receive Christ as Savior, peace with God, and walk according to the Spirit and not after fleshly thinking.
Today’s Verse: Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 16:24-28
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
