No Condemnation!

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

“Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, ‘FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.’ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:34-39

Many Christians fail to grow in their relationship to Christ - not because of indifference or sin - but due to nagging feelings of guilt and condemnation. We feel unworthy of God’s blessings. We are convinced He cannot love us anymore because of what we have done or said.

This inner turmoil is the work of Satan who seeks to destroy our fellowship with the Father. A distorted view of our performance lies at the root of this evil. We somehow think if we live righteously enough, then we merit God’s approval; if we falter, we must face His disapproval. This kind of thinking is false.

God has accepted the Christian completely - based on the forgiveness provided by Christ Jesus on the cross. We are no longer under God’s wrath, but we are recipients of His grace which is given without respect to performance. Grace came to us freely at salvation and continues to flow thereafter.

No misdeed can sever our personal relationship with God. If we have sinned, confession and repentance restore total intimacy. Sacrifice or penance in the form of good works or self-denial are useless.

If feelings of guilt have stunted your fellowship with Christ, they can be removed instantly by your humble confession. Never let your performance hinder God’s grace.

“Who is the one who condemns?...” Romans 8:34