Nihil damnationis | No condemnation

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." -Romans 8:1

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Often times we overthink about our past. Even the Christians who already believe in Christ as their Savior still worry about the sins and mistakes they made a long time ago.

Today's passage is a true relief for us all. Verse 1 and 2 of the scripture say, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." 

We are free from the heaviness of the law and death in sin! The NLT version of verse 3 explains it so well: "The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins." 

Now who are those who have the privilege to have this freedom from the wrath of God because their sin? The ones who have Christ in them. We must make sure that the Spirit of God, that means the Spirit of Christ lives inside us. Otherwise we do not belong to Christ (v.9). Those who believe Jesus Christ and accept Him as their personal Savior, will have the Holy Spirit inside them.  Ephesians 1:13 says, "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit..."

When we are in Christ we live in the realm of the Spirit not in the realm of the flesh. We no longer like sin and its offerings because the Spirit of Christ lives in us (v.5). A fake Christian will live more in the flesh thinking that Christ has given the salvation so it is fine to keep sinning. Verse 13 says, "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."

Moreover in the last part of this passage, there is something Paul wrote about sharing the glory in Him.  He said that we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (as the children of God), if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (v.17). Living in Christ means there is a possibility that we may suffer in our decision making that is against the world, that we may experience the rejection even persecution from people who do not want to hear Christ and his work, etc. Philippians 1:29 says, "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him..." God gives us strength to live through it.

That is why when we come to Christ, we need to come with our heart. Not with a hidden agenda just to have the reward - the eternal life in the heavenly kingdom. We need to understand and appreciate Christ's sacrifice for us. And looking to our own lives including our past, are we really grateful to have the salvation in Him? For the true believers, it changes their entire lives. They are even willing to suffer together with Him. God promised the glory in Christ to be shared for these people as written in verse 17. May God help us all. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 8:1-17 by Desire Litaay.

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