“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:1)

What a great promise! Those who are in Christ are not condemned to death, bondage, and slavery to sin. We are free from punishment.

We are not free from punishment due our own merit. Paul makes it clear that the Law — the written code God gave the Israelites to direct their lives, has not saved them but condemned them. It has proven them to be rebels and law breakers who deserve God’s punishment. Under the law, we are condemned. The verdict handed down is guilty. We deserve punishment. The wages of our sin is death.

But thanks be to God that in Christ we are not condemned. We are free from condemnation because Jesus took the punishment of the guilty verdict on our behalf.

If you want to experience freedom to live as you have been designed and a relationship with the Creator of the universe, you must come through Christ. We can’t come through the law or our own good works. Christ is the only way.

In Christ Jesus we are not condemned!