Read: Romans 8:1-11
No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (v. 1)
The book of Romans is sometimes described as the Himalayas of the Bible and Romans 8 as Mount Everest. I agree! Once while flying from India to Nepal, my eyes grew wide as the 29,031-foot mountain came into view. The sky was thick with clouds and yet Everest’s peak stood out like an iceberg above the ocean. The beauty proved indescribable and my phone’s camera inadequate. This is Romans 8. Each verse topped by the next.
Verse 1 declares that there is “now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Like a convicted murderer awaiting death but then hearing, “Not guilty!” Even better, we are set free “from the law of sin and death” (v. 2). Why? Because God sent his Son, Jesus, in flesh like ours to be condemned in our place (v. 3). This means all the requirements of the law are now “fulfilled in us” (v. 4). We go from condemned sinners to freed saints! Could it possibly be better?!
Yes! Four times in versus 9-11 Paul emphasizes that God himself dwells in or is in us. We are not freed and left to ourselves. “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies” (v. 11). The very one condemned in our place dwells in us as the resurrected conqueror of sin and death. Welcome to your first view of Mount Everest. —Jon Opgenorth
As you pray, marvel at the beauty of being so loved by God.
About the Author
Rev. Jon Opgenorth serves as president of Words of Hope. Previously, he served for 18 years as senior pastor at Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa. In preparation for ministry, he received a BA in Religion from Northwestern College, and an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary.
