Rom 8:1: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [NIV]
The word used for condemnation is only used in the New Testament in this verse and in Romans 5:16, 18. It is a legal term, speaking of the verdict and sentence issued by a judge in a court of law. Under the law we are all guilty – that’s the verdict. Because the verdict is guilty, the sentence has been pronounced – death. That’s condemnation.
For those who are in Christ Jesus, however, there is NO condemnation. None. When a believer sins (and believe me we still do that), we don’t go back to court to stand before a judge, we go to a Father who loves, convicts, disciplines, and forgives His children–all because of what Christ Jesus did for us.
Understanding the difference between conviction versus condemnation is one of the hardest things to get deep down into our hearts. So often we hear the enemy of our souls shouting to us, “if you really were a good Christian, you would not have done that,” or things along that same line. That’s condemnation’s theme song.
As children of our Eternal Father, we hear conviction. “Child, I love you, I know you do not want to displease me. Come to me, let us work together, I will forgive and lead you in paths of righteousness.” That’s conviction’s theme song.
Remember: Condemnation always leads us away from God. Conviction always leads us toward Him.
