There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
Romans 8 begins with no condemnation and ends with no separation.
We have no condemnation because of God's grace to us. We have no separation because of God's love for us. All though this chapter - which is arguably the greatest chapter in all the Bible - we see that we are safe, we are assured that we are safe in the steadfast, unfailing love and grace of God.
To say the word No is such a short word, but it carries complete and absolute finality here. No condemnation. None! Zero! You are completely and eternally set free from condemnation.
When is this true? When you get to heaven? No. It's true right now. "There is therefore now no condemnation."
Who is this true for? Is it true of good people? People who never fail? People who are superstar Christians? People who try hard to please God? People who measure up?
No! It's true for people who are in Christ Jesus. That's it? They are joined, by faith, to Christ. The blood of Jesus cleanses them from all sin. All sin. Past, present, future.
The famed psychiatrist, Karl Menninger, once said that if he could convince the patients in psychiatric hospitals that their sins were forgiven, 75 percent of them could walk out the next day.
If you have failed in your marriage, there's no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. If you fell into sexual sin, there's no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. If you have struggled with alcoholism or drug addiction, there's no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. If you have committed some horrible sin, there's no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. If you are a self-centered jerk, there's no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. The blood of Jesus cleanses you of all your sin.
There is an ocean of love, grace and peace in this one verse! Stand on it! Cling to it! Believe it!
Lord, how could we ever thank you enough that we have been set free from all condemnation forever?