Conclusions
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Therefore – With this most important use of the Greek gar (therefore) in the whole letter to the Romans, Paul summarizes the entire argument of the first seven chapters. This little connector brings to conclusion everything that he has been saying – and the conclusion is magnificent and powerful. Of course, if we don’t really know what Paul has been arguing, then the conclusion won’t have the same impact on us. So, that raises the question: Do you know? Do you know the development of Paul’s declaration from the revelation of God in nature to the battle within every person? Do you know how Paul demonstrates that with or without the Law, we are all condemned? Do you know why Paul takes us step-by-step through the hopelessness of self-sufficiency and the absolute sufficiency of self-surrender? And do you know what he means when he utters those wonderful words, “no condemnation”?
Paul never met his Roman audience. By the time he arrived in Rome, he was in chains. But he thought it so important for them to know the whole plan of God’s redemption that he wrote this very long letter to them. It is perhaps the most elaborate and most eloquent dissertation of the good news in the entire Bible. In the middle of this letter is this verse, a verse which brings amazing hope to anyone who understands what Paul is saying. “Therefore” moves us from all the preceding theology to a very practical and immediate conclusion. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation.”
What does it mean to no longer be condemned? The language is legal. It is prisoner talk. To be condemned is to no longer have any appeal. It is to be without further excuse. To be condemned is to be finished! The Greek is katakrima. It comes from the combination of “against” and “to judge.” Literally, it is to pronounce a judgment of “Guilty!” Paul sounds the good news. We are no longer (ouden – not any the slightest bit) guilty before God. As a result of all that has come before this point – as a result of God’s redemptive plan and the fulfillment of that plan in the life of Yeshua – we are NOT GUILTY!
Now, you might have to go back and study the development of Paul’s argument. You might want to answer all those questions above for yourself. But here is the bottom line. Yeshua accomplished for you and me what we can never do for ourselves. We had absolutely nothing to do with it. God engineered history to bring about redemption for us. He did it all. That’s why we are counted NOT GUILTY! If we are in the company and presence of Yeshua HaMashiach, if we belong to the Kingdom of God, we are now no longer one tiny bit guilty. We are free to serve Him without any need to set the books in order. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is more important than this. God rescued us from certain judgment and pronounced us debt free. Celebrate! Today you are free to follow Him without fear, without restraint and without anxiety. You are not guilty!
Topical Index: therefore, gar, guilty, katakrima, ouden, free, Romans 8:1
What a day of celebration and victory it was for me, brother Skip and fellow travelers, when the Ruach HaKodesh revealed unto this man the reality of “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The question I want to “drill home” is this. Are you sir or ma’m “in Christ?” If any man be “in Christ.” Yes, the realtors are correct when they say- location,location, location. It seems there are volumes written on these two words, “in Christ.” If only we knew the reality and the resources that belong to us who are “in Christ.” This is where the delight of discovery happens every day as we develop our relationship with our living G-d who is. No condemnation! Hallelujah! My sins are gone, I’ve been set free, my G-d/my Savior has ransomed me, and like a flood His mercy flows- amazing love, amazing grace..
Lovely & encouraging to my soul this day!
“In union with the Mashiach Yeshua”, chapter 8 begins with ‘no condemnation’ and ends with ‘no separation’.
…Now, to the One who can keep you from falling and set you without defect and full of joy in the presence of His Sh’khinah to God alone, our Deliverer, through Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord be glory, majesty, power and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.
Shalom and love upon every eye who reads this today, may the Ruach penetrate every fiber of your being with this glorious Truth that begets more glorious Truth…
a former “pastor’ of mine said, “if I were stranded on a desert island, and could only be allowed one chapter of the Bible, it would be Romans chapter 8!” Thank you Carmen for this beautiful reply! Faith is our response to what G-d says and this response reveals a lovely faith! If it is true, (and of course it is!), we have been washed and we have been sanctified by the atoning propitiation of Yeshua, and since the veil of the temple was torn from top to the bottom.., is it true we (all) who have been forgiven and sealed by the sevenfold Spirit of promise, have intimate access to the very heart of the Father? The intimate inclusive invitation of the Christ has always been.. “bring Him to me” or “come unto me.” What is preventing us from “entering in”, when this invitation has been issued to “whosover will?” “G-d was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” And “whosoever will, may come..”