There is therefore now

no condemnation

to those who are

in Christ Jesus

(Romans 8:1)

If there is no condemnation …then why do I feel so bad?

I wonder if this is an honest question that you might really have.  There is a great deal of confusion in this area that I hope God in His grace may shed some light on today.

Condemnation from God?  NO!

The Bible is clear, if you are a Christian, then condemnation is done.  Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and in those powerful words He declared “It is finished!”.   The price, the whole price of your sin, the whole weight, cost and condemnation were satisfied.  Your sin, “not in part, but the whole” is finished in Christ.   If there is a “voice” of condemnation in your life…in your heart…know this – it is NOT God.

Condemnation from satan? Yes…day and night.

In Revelation 12:10, we get a brief glimpse into what satan’s tactics are with God’s people: 

the accuser of our brethren, who accused

them before our God day and night…

Without going into all the context, this verse shows what satan has been doing, is doing and will do until Jesus returns.   Every day, satan’s tactics and agenda entail him accusing and condemning God’s kids.  He beats on Christians telling them how poor they are, what failures, how undeserving and more.   The reason that satan does this daily…is because it is so very effective against us.  One of the things that can gut us, depress us, and send us against the ropes spiritually is hearing and taking to heart satan’s accusations. The sad reality is that he does not have to lie about what we have done to do this.   Yet, satan leaves out the wonder that Jesus paid it all!  All is finished…there is no condemnation in Christ!  So, daily, there is a voice of accusation and condemnation – but it is from the “father of lies” – who is telling you half truths.

Conviction from God? Yes.

Don’t lose me here…but God does convict us of our sin, He does discipline His kids constantly.   What is the difference between conviction and condemnation?  This is no small thing and a distinction is needled badly in your understanding.  Let me give you a couple thoughts.

Condemnation - Beats you up for your past failings

Conviction - Draws you away from you failings, to a future hope

Condemnation – Beats you down as a failure, making you feel like dirt

Conviction – reminds you of who you are in Christ and seeks to pick you up to walk worthy of who you really are.

Condemnation – casts aspersions of coming judgment, of how much we deserve to be punished and isolated for our failures.

Conviction – whispers to us hope, hope to overcome failures and walk in the right things God has for us.

Condemnation – is the voice of satan

Conviction – is the voice of God

The Bible is accurate – and it lets us know that today, satan has an agenda against you – to accuse you and condemn you.  Can I call you to recognize his voice and recognize it as a lie!   In Christ, there is no condemnation.  In Christ there is conviction, hope – that draws us forward that speaks to us of what can be in Him.

Today…may you get the voices clear in your head and heart – and may you rejoice that in Christ…condemnation is done!

There is therefore now no condemnation

to those who are in Christ Jesus

(Romans 8:1)

Jim