It Is The Law That Condemns: Not Jesus Christ

In Romans 8:1 the Apostle Paul tells the Christians in Rome “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

The inverse to that statement implies that anyone who is not in Jesus Christ, who does walk after the flesh and not after the Holy Spirit, remains condemned. The questions then arise, “Why is that? Why is that those people who are not in Christ are by definition condemned? Didn't Jesus say God sent Him to the world not to condemn the world but to save the world?”

Paul answers by writing about the law that does the condemning; once again the implication being it is not Jesus Christ who condemns. It is the law which condemns every person who chooses not to be in Jesus. And the reason the law is so full of condemnation is because the law is powerless to do otherwise. The law has no power over man’s sinful nature.

The good news is that we who are in Christ Jesus do not live according to our sinful nature, and therefore subject to the law. But because of Jesus, and Jesus alone, all the condemning requirements of the law have been lifted. As a result, we who are in Jesus Christ are no longer subject to the law or any of its condemnation. Does that mean born again Christians can live their lives according to any ole’ carnal desire that happens to cross their mind? No! Absolutely not! The reason, as Paul goes on to explain in chapter 8, is that because Christians are in Christ Jesus they in deed live according to the Holy Spirit and not according to the law (not according to their carnal desires).

Anyone who chooses to live their life not according to the Holy Spirit is in fact living according to their sinful nature. It is always one or the other. When we take that thought to the next step, it can only concluded that by living a life according to one’s own sinful nature (carnal desires) we are not in Christ Jesus. And once again, if we are not in Christ Jesus, we are subject to a powerless law - a law that only condemns.

Anyone who lives according to the powerless law has their minds set not on the desires of the Holy Spirit, but rather on their carnal desires. That sinful mindset will always lead to condemnation, which is death (an eternal separation from God the Father). There is no life or peace for the man who lives according to the law. There is no life or peace for such a man living here in this world, and certainly not in the world to come. Why is that?

We know anyone who is not in Christ Jesus is subject to the law. Paul goes on to make it clear, that in addition to being under the law, the same man is considered by God to be hostile to God. Those men subjected to the law do not, will not, and if fact cannot submit their lives to God’s law. They cannot do so because they are controlled by their sinful nature, a sinful nature which is and will always be uncontrollable by the law. According to Paul anyone living their life in line with the law is not in Christ Jesus, and therefore does not please God. Later in the chapter Paul goes on to say in essence that anyone who does not please God, because they continue to choose to live subject to the law, they will certainly die (be eternally separated from the love of God).

For those of us choosing to reject the law, who choose to remain in Christ Jesus and therefore be led by the Spirit of God are called the sons of God. Because of that very son ship we needs no longer be a slave to fear. Why is that? Because anyone led by the Spirit can call out to God by His name; “Abba, Father”.

We who choose to be in Christ Jesus, choose to be led by the Holy Spirit, and choose to be a son of God, become eligible to receive, from God our Father, an inheritance along with Christ. We, who choose to reject the powerless law will always condemn us, need to live in fear no longer. Under the law fear abounds; in Christ Jesus there is no fear. When it comes to fear, no matter the gravity of the situation, I like to ask myself this question, “What is the worst thing that can happen?” “No matter the situation (no matter the finance issues, no matter the health issues, no matter the relationship issues, no matter what my concerns might be) I have learned to answer that question with this statement of truth, “God is Good, He is Good all the time, He is Good no matter what happens, and no matter what happens God is always in control.”

That answer, to the “What is the worst thing that can happen?” question, helps allow me to look forward to my sharing in the sufferings of Jesus, knowing full well I will ultimately share in His glory. I take that promise to the bank!