No Condemnation
Notes
Transcript
Romans 8:1-11.
What would it mean to live completely free from guilt, shame, and the crushing weight of past mistakes?
What if every failure, every misstep, every moment of weakness no longer defined who you are?
This isn't wishful thinking or positive psychology—it's the radical promise at the heart of the Christian faith.
Romans 8:1-2 declares something revolutionary: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."
These words aren't merely comforting—they're transformative.
They represent a fundamental shift in how believers understand their identity and their relationship with God.
What an amazing statement:
“There is now NO CONDEMNATION, for those who are in Christ”
Imagine the Transformation that happens deep in the soul of those that accept the Free Gift of Salvation in Christ.
Imagine the Power of the Holy Spirit, throwing open wide the door of Freedom from sin and Death.
No longer under the grip of sin.
No longer bound by the sense of fear or guilt.
No longer living under the oppression of pending judgement
NO LONGER UNDER CONDEMNATION
All believers in Christ can now, Live in liberty, assured of their relationship with Christ, their Risen Saviour.
With that comes- Not only the ability to live righteous and God-Glorifying lives- But also the Responsibility to do so.
We can now access that Power of the Holy Spirit-
To rely, daily, on the guidance provided by enlightened Word of God, through the Holy Spirit
Bringing with it a deeper understanding and connection with God, and His Divine purpose for each of us.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit to live as overcomers and victors over the evil pressures of sin that surround us on all sides of life.
Understanding our identity in Christ is the base that our Faith is built upon-
It provides us with the building blocks to live free from condemnation
Strengthening us to lead lives of Peace, exhibiting, daily, God’s Love, Grace and Mercy at work in us.
Also being witness to the fact, and being living witnesses of the fact that real transformation in Christ comes from God alone.
With a growing and maturing relationship with God.
All of this by the Grace of God and by nothing that man could contrive or strive towards- apart from God.
The central point of this part of Paul’s letter is this:
Jesus Christ has fulfilled all the requirements of the OT Law.
He has provided, personally, the way for ALL believers for ALL time to be free from the bondage of sin and condemnation
And finally, The focus of all of the text of Holy Scripture
In and through Christ, All Believers are no longer defined by our sins.
We are transformed- Changed- New vessels of God’s unmerited favor and Grace.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in ways that reflect God’s Righteousness to the lost world of the condemned of humanity, today.
So let’s first begin with:
1- Freedom From Condemnation
1- Freedom From Condemnation
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Once a fierce oppressor of Christians, Paul found himself transformed by Christ's love, turning into one of the greatest evangelists.
His life exemplifies Romans 8:1, showing that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace.
There is no condemnation in Christ, even for the worst of sinners.
Paul's journey invites us all to embrace that same grace and acceptance without fear.
Satan will often use our past and present failures to attempt to bring condemnation on us.
This tactic, often makes us question our Salvation in Christ.
In fact, too often, we allow our own self-doubt and self-condemnation to defeat us.
It is critical, then, that we allow the Holy Spirit to return our focus to Christ and His sacrifice for us.
Satan is right, in one respect- We cannot do this on our own.
The good news is- We dont have to.
Because Jesus has done all the heavy lifting for us- We have no reason to doubt.
Our salvation isn’t based on anything we have done or could possibly do in the future.
If you find yourself often reflecting on past sins at home, it can lead to feelings of unworthiness.
Combat these thoughts by starting a gratitude journal that focuses on your identity in Christ.
Each day, write down at least three specific things you are thankful for that highlight your redemption—like grace given to you, blessings in your life, or moments of joy.
Over time, this practice will reshape your understanding and attitude, reminding you to see yourself as Christ sees you.
This life of freedom that we live now has nothing to do with us and has EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST OUR MESSIAH.
Too often, Satan doesnt even have to do much at all- We do it to ourselves.
Our own conscience reminds us of our past shame
Non-Christian friends and family members are quick to remind us of our moments of slips and falls.
Personality traits, like low self esteem, excessive shame, or personal compulsions can overwhelm us.
Unhealthy comparisons to those we admire and trust can leave us feeling less then and not up to the task.
It is so key to always keep in focus that Scripture is our best friend and perfect defense
By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
Consider the story of the Prodigal Son. When he returned to his father, he expected condemnation for his reckless living. Instead, he was embraced and welcomed home.
This parable illustrates the incredible grace we receive in Christ.
Regardless of our past, His love breaks through shame and guilt, offering restoration instead of condemnation, capturing the essence of Romans 8:1 and reminding us that our identity in Christ is one of love and acceptance.
The Spirit of Life in Verse two is The Holy Spirit.
Often over-looked and certainly under-appreciated, the Third Person of the Trinity was present in the Creation of the Universe, (Gen 1:2) and one of the “Change-Agents in the beginning of Life, itself.
He IS the Power, behind the renewing of the hearts and minds of every Newborn Christian, our Paraclete, or Comforter and Advocate
And, as Comforter and Advocate- our helper and guide through our daily Christian life.
This entails two vital aspects of the Holy Spirit that must be recognized-
What the Holy Spirit does for us, and-
What the Holy Spirit does in us
It is the Law of the Spirit that sets us free
On our own, both us and the Law are powerless to achieve this, God has done it for us.
Having been set free, The Spirit of God now lives in all Believers
Providing us with the ability to “Live according to the Spirit”
I have been crucified with Christ.
It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Now that we've discussed the freedom from condemnation, let's explore how this freedom is maintained through living by the Spirit.
2- The Law’s Limits vs Christ’s Unlimited Power
2- The Law’s Limits vs Christ’s Unlimited Power
For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do.
By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
How does the assurance of no condemnation change your daily life?
Think about that as we discuss the power of Christ."
The OT Law was set up to show Humanity our absolute need for a Saviour.
It was never meant to provide a means of True Freedom over sin’s influence
But what the Law wasn’t mean to do, God accomplished for us, Himself.
The Son of God- Jesus Christ, came to humanity in the form/likeness of man.
As John 1:14 puts it:
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
This appearance was not just an apparition, but the Son of God, became completely human, while maintaining His Deity.
The fancy term of Christian theology is: The Hypostatic Union of Christ.
Christ’s victory over sin is the ONLY reason Paul can declare that there is NO condemnation for those that are in Christ.
Christ met all the requirements of the Law, as the perfect and flawless sacrifice for our sins.
The life Jesus lived on Earth was the same as ours- except He was unblemished by the stain of sin.
So not only are we not longer condemned by our sins, but we now have power and authority to live Holy and Righteous lives that magnify God’s Glory.
The original Greek for Living in the Spirit, implies to “Walk in the Spirit”
Walking suggests a daily journey that we embark on
One that entails the entirety of our individual lives
It encompasses our daily behaviors, actions and moral choices and direction.
This can only be accomplished by Divine action.
This life changing transformation should cause us all to reflect and lean into God’s Grace and Mercy
And rest in His assurance of our Salvation and the peace of mind that comes with it.
So, What role does the Holy Spirit play in the lives of believers as described in Romans 8?
3- The Choice to Make
3- The Choice to Make
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
The determining factor is our resolve to ‘Set our minds’ or fully commit to living in a state of Spiritual vitality and Peace, rather than by our own fleshly desires.
As my own Pastor always says, “It isn’t complicated, It’s just not easy”
It’s not easy because we tend to make it difficult
We try to negotiate with God
We still want to have it our way
As opposed to just giving in to God’s will for us.
We claim allegiance to God, but them try to keep hold of the things of the world that we still desire.
Living a lifestyle that bears-witness - shows itself to be true to the calling of the Holy Spirit as an example of a transformed life.
As Jesus explained to the Disciples in:
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him.
You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
Apostle Paul explains it like this in:
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
The Power of the Holy Spirit in our lives begins with our surrendering our wants and desires to Christ-
And personally determine for ourselves a lifetime commitment and submission to Christ.
Bringing us to our final point today:
4- The Decision to Make
4- The Decision to Make
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.
Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
What some have taken as a threat, Paul simply states as a matter of Fact:
While the act of Salvation is complete
The Process of Sanctification is a life long endeavor
The Fact remains-
Anyone who does not have the Holy Spirit in them, is not a Follower of Christ.
It is natural to have doubts, face conflicts, feel lost in the reality of an overwhelming issue.
Having those feelings does not negate the presence of the Holy Spirit in us.
When facing these issues- We have a standard to assess our faith by
1- Do I have the Spirit of Christ in my life?
2- Do I belong to Christ, as a Child of the King of Kings?
The point is that to answer “Yes” to one is to confirm the other.
While the first standard can be questioned in our weak moments-
The second standard is clearly confirmed by Scripture and God’s Blessed assurances.
Not to get to bogged down in the weeds, Paul uses the terms, “Spirit of God”, “Spirit of Christ” and “Spirit of Life” equally, meaning the same thing.
To experience the Spirit of Christ, is to experience the “Holy Spirit” is the same thing.
There is no experiencing Christ outside of the Holy Spirit.
The final conclusion, then is this:
What if the heaviest burden we carry isn't placed on us by God, but by our own hearts?
This exploration of Romans 8:1-11 invites us into one of the most liberating truths of Scripture: there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
We discover that the transformation happening within believers isn't about striving harder or doing better—it's about understanding our complete freedom from sin's grip through Christ's finished work.
The message beautifully unpacks how the Holy Spirit, often overlooked yet absolutely essential, serves as both our advocate and the power source for daily Christian living.
We're challenged to recognize the difference between what the Spirit does for us—setting us free from the law of sin and death—and what the Spirit does in us—empowering righteous living.
The Old Testament law was never meant to save us; it was designed to show us our desperate need for a Savior. What the law couldn't accomplish, God did through sending His Son in human flesh.
This isn't just theological theory; it's intensely practical. We face a daily choice between living according to the flesh or walking in the Spirit, and that choice shapes everything about our spiritual vitality.
The content reminds us that Satan often uses our past failures to bring condemnation, but Scripture is our perfect defense.
Our identity in Christ isn't based on our performance but on His perfect sacrifice, inviting us to live in the freedom and peace that comes from knowing we belong completely to Him.
