There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1). Condemnation means adverse sentence, and has nothing to do with a decision of guilt or innocents. We are guilty, and now are to be sentenced to either life or death. No condemnation means a sentence of life and not death. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). That is speaking of salvation; being saved. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:17). The body of Christ is redeemed by the death of His Son, and has been resurrected into life. There was an adverse sentence, and the Son of God fulfilled the adverse sentence; as Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17).

It was a new day when Jesus walked out of the tomb. It was a day that happened in the spirit before the foundation of the world. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light (Genesis 1:3). So the evening and the morning were the first day (Genesis 5b). In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1:4-5). For those who do not comprehend (take eagerly) the light, there is still condemnation (an adverse sentence). Those in the darkness do not want to see the joy of those walking in the light. Those in the darkness still strive as tough they still have to please the law to obtain salvation for them self, and continually teach others to come and follow them in the darkness.

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (Galatians 3:13). Jesus fulfilled the sentence of the law, the curse and the death. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (Romans 10:4). The law cannot make us righteous; only the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus can make us righteous. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). By the law we could not mention His name, but through Christ Jesus we call Him by the endearing title of Abba! And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ (Galatians 4:6-7). David understood that when he danced before the Arc of the Covenant. The Queen who judged David harshly bore no fruit.

Paul wrote to the Galatians, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7). The Galatians were being pulled into the darkness by teachings of justification through the law – physical works for salvation. Some had taken the name of Christ but not the grace of the Lord, and were teaching another Gospel that was not a gospel but dead works. The gospel is, “There is no condemnation to those who walk in Christ Jesus, because Jesus was condemned for our sake.” Jesus came to remove the curse and suffer the death required by the law. Jesus is our righteousness and all good works of righteousness are out of salvation and not to gain salvation. All our good works belong to God who paid the price for our redemption. If you will glory, glory in the Lord through the gospel of grace.

© 2011, Tim D. Coulter Sr.