There Is Now No Condemnation For Those Who Are In Christ Jesus.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 8:1–4

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

1. Paul’s Cry Is the Background (Romans 7)

Paul’s great declaration in Romans 8:1 does not come out of nowhere. It rises out of his deep struggle described in Romans 7.

“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.

For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” (7:18)

And finally, Paul cries out:

“Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (7:24)

Paul does not ask, “Who will help me?” He asks, “Who will deliver me?”

This is not a request for assistance, but a confession that salvation is necessary.

If even the apostle Paul needed deliverance, then all of us need not mere help, but salvation.

2. Despair Does Not Have the Final Word

Paul’s cry does not end in despair. “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (7:25)

The most serious problem of human life—the problem of sin and death—is resolved in Jesus Christ. That is why Paul can now proclaim:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (8:1)

3. What Does “No Condemnation” Mean?

Condemnation means being under a death sentence.

All of us were once under condemnation.

“None is righteous, no, not one” (Rom 3:10)

“All have sinned” (Rom 3:23)

“The wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23)

But the gospel declares something radically new: “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law…” (Rom 3:21–24)

God now declares us not guilty, not condemned, but righteous.

This verdict is more final and more authoritative than any earthly court—it is the verdict of the heavenly court.

That is why Paul asks: “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? Who is to condemn?” (Rom 8:33–34)

4. Why Is There No Condemnation? (Romans 8:2–3)

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (8:2)

Why are we free? “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do.” (8:3)

God sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and condemned sin in the flesh.

Our condemnation fell on Christ. “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin,

so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor 5:21)

Condemnation ended at the cross.

5. The Result: Life According to the Spirit (Romans 8:4)

“In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us,

who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (8:4)

This is crucial: We are not free from condemnation because we walk by the Spirit.

Rather, because we are free from condemnation, we are now able to walk by the Spirit.

We are no longer under the rule of the law, yet we begin to live the life the law desired—

not by obligation, but by fruit;

not by pressure, but by transformation;

not by fear, but by freedom.

“If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Gal 5:18)

6. Conclusion: A Privileged Life Without Condemnation

Those who are in Christ are free from condemnation.

We do not need to wonder whether God is angry with us.

God sees us not as prisoners, but as sons and daughters, like the father who welcomed the prodigal son.

The life of sanctification—life led by the Spirit—is a privilege enjoyed only by those who have already been set free from condemnation. (Rom 8:9–11, 14).

However, “no condemnation” does not mean sin does not matter.

It means the problem of sin has already been dealt with at the cross.

We do not take sin lightly, but we live under a grace greater than sin.

The Holy Spirit may convict us, but His conviction is never meant to crush us with condemnation.

It is a loving hand that gently leads us back to Christ.