Life in the Spirit
1So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
It is clear that when sin came into the world, shame came along with it. That is why, as we saw in our Bible study earlier this week, Adam and Eve immediately hid after sinning by eating fruit from the tree God had forbidden them to eat from. Still today, so many people carry shame. Even those who have placed their faith in Christ cannot let go of the deep shame they feel for past mistakes and shortcomings. For followers of Christ, there is good news for us today. We do not have to dwell on our shame and our past mistakes anymore because there is “no condemnation” for those who have placed their faith in Christ and received His freedom and forgiveness.
In our Bible study yesterday, we read Paul’s words in Romans 7. In this passage of Scripture, Paul describes the battle each of us faces here on earth against sin and reminds us of the hope found in Jesus Christ. We will pick up our Bible study time today by reading Romans 8. This chapter begins with the breathtaking words, “So now…” (verse 1). These words should clue us in that Paul’s words in Romans 8 are a continuation of his teaching found in Romans 7, which ended with the reminder that Jesus brings the freedom from sin and death that the world is desperate for. In light of what Christ has done, Paul penned the words that begin Romans 8, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (verse 1). What a remarkable promise that we all can claim. There is no condemnation if we have placed our faith in Christ. We do not have to live in shame or in defeat. Why? Paul writes in the next verse, “Because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death” (verse 2). We do not have to live in condemnation because of our sin. Instead, we get to live in freedom because of what Christ has done if we have placed our faith in Him.
As Paul wrote about the freedom available in Christ, He asked a very profound question: “Who then will condemn us?” (verse 34). Paul answered this question very quickly in the next sentence: “No one” (verse 34). After all, if “there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ,” then there is not one person who can condemn us. Jesus said it this way as He taught in John 3, “God sent His son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him” (verse 17). This remarkable truth is the confidence that all who place their faith in Christ can walk in.
Have you been living in shame, unable to move forward from past mistakes? I urge you today to hold on to the truth found in Romans 8. If you have placed your faith in Christ, there is no condemnation. You have been forgiven. You are not defined by your past sins and mistakes. You can walk forward in the freedom and love of Christ.
Moving toward action
Memorize Romans 8:1. As you memorize this verse, reflect on the good news that there is no condemnation for those who place their faith in Christ. When shame tries to overtake you, bring this verse to mind. Let it remind you that because of Christ, shame has no hold on you. What a remarkable truth we have to claim!
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
“God, as I seek to live in Your freedom, lead me…”
Going deeper
1There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”
3Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again,[1] you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
4“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”
5Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.[2] 6Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.[3] 7So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You[4] must be born again.’ 8The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
9“How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.
10Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? 11I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. 12But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man[5] has come down from heaven. 14And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.[6]
16“For this is how God loved the world: He gave[7] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
18“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.[8]”
Translation notes (8)
- 3:3 Or born from above; also in 3:7.
- 3:5 Or and spirit. The Greek word for Spirit can also be translated wind; see 3:8.
- 3:6 Greek what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
- 3:7 The Greek word for you is plural; also in 3:12.
- 3:13 Some manuscripts add who lives in heaven. “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
- 3:15 Or everyone who believes will have eternal life in him.
- 3:16 Or For God loved the world so much that he gave.
- 3:21 Or can see God at work in what he is doing.
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