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NO CONDEMNATION
THE LAW IS FULFILLED

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4 – NLT)

The use of the word therefore in the NKJV indicates that this passage has a distinct and indelible connection to all Paul has been saying and the law, sin and grace. Within these first few verses, Paul covers a number of subjects, yet the primary emphasis is the victorious kingdom lifestyle the Christians may live because they have intentionally placed their faith in the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are two crucial thoughts in these opening verses of Chapter 8:

  • The reality of our salvation through the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus;
  • The ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our everyday life.

Condemnation is the awareness of a condition we experience when we know we are in the wrong. Any person who has some sort of consciousness of the existence of God knows that to stand in the presence of a holy God must inevitably bring an acute sense of condemnation, for we are intensely aware of our sinfulness. However, Paul says that because of our faith in the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus we do not need to feel or experience any condemnation. The condemnation that came from the law is no longer valid; it has been annulled, cancelled and negated. We move from a situation of inexcusable condemnation under the law into a new world governed by the mercy of God.

Condemnation is inevitably tied to guilt and the reality is that human beings were not created to live with guilt. Of all human experiences that cripple us, guilt is probably the most emotionally deliberating and devastating. Jesus shed his blood to cover our sins and set us free from guilt. It is a remedy for sin and guilt that is total and complete, nothing is lacking in it. Ours is the responsibility to accept that sacrifice.

In Mark 2:1-12 we read the story of the paralysed man brought by four friends to Jesus for healing. Jesus never inquires of him his reason for coming – I suspect that the priority of this man was very much healing from his paralysis. However, Jesus knew that his greatest need was the greatest need of all humanity, to be forgiven. Forgiveness is a basic human need and without exception, we all need it. The removal of feelings of condemnation and guilt is one of the most liberating encounters a human being can experience.

Paul notes that the law of Moses was unable to save us. Unfortunately, the law could stimulate our sinful nature to crave forbidden fruit but it was totally incapable of producing the ethical and righteous behaviour necessary. Human experience and behaviour are living proof that while law is easy to assert it is utterly impossible to completely fulfill. Humanity, even at the most basic level, knows that a certain level of righteousness and ethical behaviour is necessary, but understanding and actions fall far short. It gives the assent of reason but is incapable of controlling the power of impulse. Consequently, God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son to as the sacrifice for our sins

Jesus took on the complete and fallible form of humanity and as the Son of man, resisted, conquered, condemned, sentenced, and destroyed the power of sin. In sending his son God provided the means through which humanity could find complete victory over, and forgiveness for all sin, while at the same time satisfying the claims of His own law.

5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. (Romans 8:5-11 – NLT)

Paul goes on to deal with mindset and attitude; the thoughts that dominate our everyday mental processes. It is here the Christian needs the constant, ongoing presence and influence of the Spirit of God. We are enabled to fulfill God's destiny for us because we have a mindset and attitude that comes from our new nature. Right from our conversion our mindset and attitudes are changed toward the things of the Holy Spirit.

Much of this chapter is focussed around the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit. Previous to this Paul has only written of the Holy Spirit once (Romans 5:5). However, here in chapter 8 he mentions the Holy Spirit over 20 times. The theme of life led and controlled by the Holy Spirit will become one of the main topics of Paul’s teachings.

The things of the Spirit, those things which please the Spirit are to become predominant in Paul’s ministry. In Galatians 5 Paul sets out to enlarge on the contrast between the mindset that is dominated by sinful influences and the kingdom lifestyle led by the Holy Spirit. 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. (Galatians 5:19-26 - NLT)

When we are led by the Spirit and endeavour to that which pleases the Spirit we are sensitive to his leadings in our lives. However, because we live in a sinful world and are always open to temptation, we will at times, resist the Spirit’s direction. Even though we are redeemed, we don't always pursue the things of the Spirit. Paul deals with this reality in Galatians 5:16-18. 16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. (NLT) At all times we have free will and the Spirit will only guide us and not compel us. Paul acknowledges that for the Christian there is an ongoing struggle between the desires of our sinful natures and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Before we accepted Christ we were not too concerned about struggling against sin and our lives were heavily influenced by it. After we accepted Christ we have to battle against it because we are now indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and the flesh continually struggles against the Spirit (Gal. 5:17). Our responses and desires are now heavily influenced by the Holy Spirit and not our sinful nature. The life filled and influenced by the Holy Spirit is a step-by-step journey. Even though we are redeemed we will always struggle with our humanness until the time God perfects us.



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