No Condemnation - Written by Rev. Dexter Arthur

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)

The marvelous light to which the Christian community is called is nothing other than the glory of God. Since we are in Christ, we are not subject to the laws of sin, and the laws of death, which carry a stench of corruption and condemnation.

Condemnation is part of legal terminology when it is discovered that a crime has been committed, as a result of the law being broken. At times the word “condemnation” is also used in a broader context to refer to negative evaluations of a person by peers, or by “one’s own conscience”. However, in the case of the believer, the forgiveness of God has rectified all issues that pertain to condemnation. So then, when believers condemn themselves, it is equivalent to committing a crime (sin) against their body. In doing so, we are actually bringing a divergent opinion of ourselves which is not shared or supported by God. Such a state of mind brings displeasure and disappointment to God, His work, and His purpose for our lives.

It is important to underscore that believers are indeed peculiar people in the full sense of the term (1 Peter 2:9); therefore no form of condemnation should be tolerated. Our peculiar position in God should thus be viewed as a majestic opportunity, a sanctified experience in which we are inducted into the membership of a royal and holy priesthood. The priesthood to which we are called to be is indeed royal, and the character of our royalty is majesty and dignity; not ignominy and condemnation. Each member of this new breed of priest is destined for vindication from all prior, current, or future condemnation. God have used the quality of our peculiarity in Christ to define us; thus opening a doorway for us to stand out in separation from the rest of condemned men.

As believers, we are the property or possession of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19). We have been acquired and acquitted undoubtedly with considerable effort (the life and blood of Jesus). As a highly priced acquisition of the Lord, believers are set in heavenly places (in Christ); just as a diamond stone is delicately set at the crest of a golden ring. In that position, the diamond is magnified and adored for its glory and beauty. Similar to a diamond stone, believers have been cut, shaped, polished, and fixated upon the pinnacle of God’s divine purpose. Paul stated in Romans 8:38-39 that nothing is able to separate us from God. Believers must exercise diligence by not separating or abandoning ourselves from the knowledge of our identity in Christ, which will result in contamination and condemnation. We should not allow the leaven of unrighteous thoughts to pollute the lump which we co-habit with Christ.

Hence now, when the enemy sees us, he sees the blood of Jesus, along with the definition of exculpation. The mere sight of a believer in such an exalted position is very distasteful to the enemy, whose consistent attempts of condemnation are repelled by the grace of God. The enemy cannot run, hide, or shake himself from the “Truth”. Therefore, he is not able to condemn us due to his cognizance of the dramatic change which the truth has accomplished through us. Since he does not see condemnation within us, why then do we condemn ourselves? It is important to note that both God and the devil see the same character in us; which is Christ Jesus. However, this is where their similar view of the believer ends. From now on each of them will remain in their respective zones and attempt to influence our lives in a radically opposing manner, where God seeks to build us, and where the devil will seek to destroy us.

When the enemy approached God on behalf of Job, he understood that Job could not be touched as long as he was surrounded with God’s hedge of protection. Job was placed in a location where he could not be touched, unless it was sanctioned by God. Simply put, like believers, Job was hidden in God the same way believers are hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:3). The hedge acted as a security guard who protected Job from obstruction, danger, accusation, condemnation, and any other foul behaviour that might come from the enemy. The hedge further places a restraining order against the devil, thus stifling his assaults. This is why Paul admonished us to possess the shield of faith at all times, which is able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked (Ephesians 6:16). Our lives are not available for scrutiny (condemnation) by anyone except for God. Therefore, is it safe for us to assume that because God allowed the enemy to plague Job that condemnation was somehow brought against him? God forbid! The temptation was used as a tool of God to increase the equity of Job’s life, character, well being, family, business and testimony. Please note that the hedge was removed by the scrutiny of God, and not of man, or even the enemy for that matter. The price that was constituted for Job’s life, and for that matter our lives is so high that only God is able to condemn. Salvation, grace, mercy, justification, redemption etc, is valued higher than any corruptible thing, which includes condemnation.