Scripture
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1, ESV)
Thoughts
Condemnation-free! Jesus took our condemnation when he was on the cross! Our life in Jesus Christ is now free from the sin that once so easily entangled us. The main question we face is are we “in” him? Think about this term–being “in Christ Jesus.” If you drive a car to the store, the car is the vehicle that gets you to the store. If you fly to a foreign land, the jet is what gets you there. Being in Jesus is the way we get to our final destination.
In Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, he spoke of being “found” in Jesus:
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith – that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.(Philippians 3:8-11, ESV, emphasis added)
Condemnation-free people are found in Jesus. They have become like Jesus in his death and resurrection. And, as Paul indicates in verse 10, for us it is a daily death; it’s a daily picking up of our crosses and following Jesus. Why? Paul says it will move us to our final destination.
Application
As someone who is in Jesus Christ, you are free of condemnation. In our relationships, do we take that same blessing—freedom from condemnation—and apply it to others? Do we receive our freedom, yet place others in bondage? No. No! We have been set free; therefore, we can set others free. Listen to me. The conflict you are in can end today by simply taking the gift that the Father has given to you through his Son and offering it to others.
Prayer
Lord, thank youfor freeing me from condemnation! Today I am releasing _______________ from my condemnation because of your death on the cross for both of us, Lord Jesus. . . . Continue praying.