Who is to Condemn?

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For Your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present not things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”(Romans 8:1, 31-39)

Scholars, theologians, and all believers rightly attest to the importance of the book of Romans. Some have said that if there was a most important book of the 66 books of the Bible, Romans is it. Some have said that if they could only have one book out of the 66, they would have Romans. About this book, Martin Luther said, ““[Romans] is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.”

Though we cannot ultimately place one book of the Bible above the rest—since God inspired them all—none can deny the major contribution to Christian thought and salvation of unbelievers that this book has had through the history of the Church. In fact, it was this very book, and Martin Luther’s study of it, that led to his clear understanding of justification by faith and his salvation, which then, to some extent, led to the Protestant Reformation. It truly is a great book.

Every part of the book of Romans is filled with deep theological truths, reminders and encouragements. We will never fully mine the depths of it. And if there is one chapter in this book that stands above the rest, I would argue that it is chapter 8. As the Apostle Paul concludes his thought at the end of chapter 7, noting his own struggle against remaining sin, he writes, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (vv.24-25a) And then he begins chapter 8 with a resounding declaration: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (8:1)

One of the reasons why the book of Romans was given to us is to assure believers of their salvation, their standing with God, and their future hope in Heaven with God, especially when the struggle against our own sin, doubts, and failures constantly reminds us of how much we don’t measure up. And the fact is, we don’t. The reality is, we don’t measure up to God’s standard of righteousness. We don’t deserve salvation. In and of ourselves, we stand condemned before God. But this is exactly why we need Jesus—His righteousness to cover us.

In fact, this is what Martin Luther learned several hundred years ago. He was a man who lived under the condemnation that his sin and flesh brought him. He constantly felt the weight of his unworthiness. As a result, he tried to be righteous, through his own performance, but no matter how much he tried, he knew that he couldn‘t measure up. As he studied the book of Romans, he came to chapter 1, verses 16 & 17, and read, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…For in it the righteousness of God is revealed…”

As Martin Luther came across these words he rediscovered the biblical teaching of justification by faith alone. The righteousness he needed was not his own righteousness—through good works and human effort—but the righteousness of God Himself. And this is what He found in the Gospel; in fact, this is Who He found in the Gospel—Jesus Christ, the righteousness of God revealed.

So, when Paul pens the opening words of chapter 8, “…there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus…” and then concludes his thought at the end of chapter 8 with: “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died…” (v.34a), he reminds the believer that even though, in and of myself, I stand condemned before God, but because of Christ, there is now no condemnation.

As we approach Easter, as we look to Jesus, as we are reminded of His death and celebrate His resurrection, let us remind ourselves that for all those who have placed their faith in Jesus, there is nothing to condemn us because “…Christ Jesus is the one who died…” and more than that, “…who was raised”! As we look to that Cross and approach the darkness of Good Friday, may we be gloriously reminded of the brightness of Easter Sunday.

“For our sake He made Him to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)