A Walkthrough of Romans 8: Verse 1

Romans 8 begins like a bridge that connects a land of hopelessness to a land where only hope exists.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1, NIV).

As Paul states, however, this bridge to a land of hope can only be traveled by a certain person. A person who is found in someone greater than themselves. A person who is found in Jesus.

For this one who is found in Jesus, the condemning result of their past life as one defined by a separation from God—even a rejoicing in that separation—no longer exists. We must remember to think and process this statement based on what it says, not how we often feel or assume.

Note the language used by Paul. Put overly straight forward, it reads: “…now no condemnation in Christ Jesus.”

Paul did not say, just a little condemnation left. Nor did he say, no condemnation unless you mess up again. He didn’t even say, for right now there’s no condemnation. What he said was that condemnation no longer exists.

Accept that. Rest in it. Trust that Paul is telling you the truth with these words written almost 2,000 years ago.

The gospel that Paul believed in, and Jesus preached, is such that for the person and people who find themselves abiding in Jesus—living as he instructs, viewing the world through his eyes, and loving like he did—any penalty that was once due to them because of their sin and idolatry before God, has been done away with.

To talk of condemnation in relationship to the person found in Jesus is a nonsensical topic. Paul wouldn’t understand what you mean.

We must ground ourselves in what Paul has said, not what the world offers as acceptable. And grounding ourselves in what Paul has said is believing that the hopeless of condemnation has been put away for the hope of a real life in Jesus.

A Moment on the Scriptures: "Don't be afraid..."

He figured he was dead when the risen Jesus appeared before him.

John’s life was as good as over when he was exiled to live out the rest of his days alone on the island of Patmos. What was he supposed to do by himself? Was this somehow a curse of God? How could God have abandoned him to this sort of fate?

Then comes the revelation.

John was witness to the living, risen Jesus on the island with him. It was miraculous, but it wasn’t without fear. John, himself, tells us what he was thinking and feeling as he saw Jesus.

“And when I saw him, I fell to his feet as dead, and he placed his right hand on me saying:” (Rev. 1:17, MT).

Like those of old who had angels appear before them, John thought his life was over when Jesus appeared before him. This, however, was not the case. Instead of dying, John feels the hand of Jesus on him. But this isn’t the end of his encounter.

John is afraid. And Jesus is going to deal with that.

As Jesus places his hand on John, he says to him: “Do not be afraid.”

Why? Why shouldn’t John be afraid?

Thankfully, Jesus continues and gives us the reasons why: “I am the first and the last and the one who is living, and I was dead and behold, I am the one who is living forever and ever and I have the keys of death and of hades” (Rev. 1:17b-18, MT).

Notice, first, what Jesus does not say to alleviate John’s fear. He doesn’t point John to the world, nor does he point John to John.

Instead, Jesus eases John’s fear by speaking to who he (Jesus) is.

Jesus is the first and the last.
Jesus is alive.
Jesus was dead, but now he is alive forever.
Jesus has the keys of death.
And, Jesus has the keys of hades.

The reasons for John to not be afraid then, remain the same for us now. Jesus was the hope for John, and he remains our hope today.