No Strings Attached – Free from Condemnation

“Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) Period. End of story.

But you may be asking, “What about the rest of the verse Rod?” In the New King James and some other translations it adds “…who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” That little addition – a requirement if you will – was added by scholars. Some say it was to add clarity, and other like Joseph Prince, say the scholars themselves couldn’t believe that incredible statement had no strings attached. But I am here to tell you there are NO strings attached. To those who are in Christ there is no condemnation. Period.

Let’s talk about condemnation for a minute. Go back to where it all started in the garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were commanded not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Note that that was the only restriction. “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat.” (Genesis 2:16) Now I imagine the garden was not like grandma’s little garden in her small backyard. It must have been massive, with every imaginable colorful fruit, vegetable, flower. It truly must have been stunning to all of the five senses.

We know what happened. Eve was tricked by Satan and then Adam listened to his wife and partook as well. What was the first response of Adam and Eve? Condemnation.

“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:7-8)

You see, their first response was to feel condemnation. The response to feeling condemnation is to run away from God. Now fast forward to the Apostle Paul bold and amazing statement: “Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The next time you sin you can boldly declare the above verse. It isn’t a license to sin but rather and acknowledgment of His awesome, unfailing grace.

You see, Jesus died so that we would live a life free of condemnation. Do you think Jesus would shed His blood, save you from your sins, only to have you live a life being beat down by condemnation? No way! I will leave you with one more powerful verse.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)

What are you under? Sin and the condemnation that surely follows? Or grace where peace is the result? Come under the tent of His amazing grace and receieve life.

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