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Not An Ounce

Romans 8:1 (ESV) -- There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

One of the things Christians struggle with long after their salvation is the feeling that God is mad at them. Every Christian sins every day. We may not blow it big every day, but we know we fall short of the standard every day. We gossip. We get angry in traffic or jealous of a friend. We covet, lie, and follow idols. The Christian life is an ongoing battle with the flesh that we do not get a day off from. 

Our passage today reminds us that despite our battle, and even our failures, we are no longer under God’s wrathful eyes. Through Christ, they are eternally diverted away. Paul writes, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” 

In the previous chapter of Romans, Paul outlines the internal battle Christians face. We don’t do the things we want to do. We do the things we don’t want to do. We are walking contradictions. This struggle, and the failures that come with them, can leave us feeling down. It isn’t hard to tell yourself that God is angry at you and disappointed by your daily stumbles. This leads us to self-punish or self-atone for sins. We don’t feel worthy so we want to embrace some sort of hardship or feelings of guilt to pay for our transgressions. But in Christ, this is unnecessary. 

The Christian’s sin has been removed. Through Christ, our sins were atoned for in full. The wrath of God was poured out on the Savior’s head. God’s righteous wrath fell on the cross of Jesus. Jesus was condemned for us. There is no wrath left for us. God isn’t angry with us. He isn’t shaking His head in disappointment or disgust. He loves us. He is for us. Christ’s righteousness is standing before Him rather than our sins. He only sees us through the finished work of His Son. Rejoice today. There is no condemnation for those in Christ. Jesus paid it all.


Reflection & Journal:
- Why is it so easy to forget this verse and wallow in guilt when we sin?
- What is the importance of remembering this verse? How does this passage encourage us in our daily walk with God?
- How does this passage speak to you today? What is the Lord showing you?


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