At the end of Romans 7, Paul gave us a hint at what (or better yet, who) the solution to sin is.  After lamenting his dire condition under the law of Moses (Romans 7:24), he proclaimed, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”  Now, in Romans 8, Paul elaborates on why he made such a statement.

Romans 8 is a stark contrast to Romans 7.  The text goes from “O wretched man that I am!” to “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).  Why the change in attitude and outlook?  It is because the situation has changed from being under a law that demands sinless living to being in a place where one can be saved by faith and free from condemnation.

The word condemnation means, “a damnatory sentence” (Thayer).  We do not have to worry about that in Christ because we have been set free.  It is time for us to start acting like it.  Too many Christians are still afraid to have any real confidence in their salvation.  I am not quite sure why that is, but I know this—you do not get that feeling from the Bible.  Paul, for example, had total confidence that he was right with God and that death was not something that a true Christian had to fear (2 Timothy 4:6-8).  John had confidence too, and he warned Christians that to fear is to demonstrate less than the true spirit of Christ (1 John 4:17-18).  Then we have the Hebrews writer constantly reminding us of the confidence that we should have in Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16; 6:18-20; 10:19-23).  Yes, we are in a state of no condemnation, and live like it.

In Christ, we have been set free by “the law of the Spirit of life” (ver. 2).  The law of the Spirit of life is a reference to the gospel of Christ.  It is the law of the Spirit because the Spirit has revealed it.  This is the special place of the Holy Spirit in God’s scheme of redemption.  His work is one of revelation (1 Corinthians 2:10-13; Ephesians 3:3-5).  The gospel is referred to as the law of the Spirit of life because life is what it produces.  It is indeed the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).   

Interestingly, the gospel is referred to by the term law.  Many think that we are not under law today and that we are free to do whatever we want as long as we continue to believe in Christ.  This is what, at least in part, leads to the false doctrine of “faith only.”  The fact is we are under law, just not a law that requires perfection to be saved.  Why?  Because under this new covenant provisions for sin have been made, for God sent His Son to condemn sin by dying on the cross (ver. 3).  Verse 4 tells us the result of this.

Romans 8:4 (ESV)
⁴  In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

What is the righteous requirement of the law?  It is sinless perfection.  Now, Paul says that this requirement is fulfilled in us.   You see, in Christ, our sins are washed away as if we never had them.  We stand before God guiltless and without blame, i.e., as if we have not sinned; thus, we are without condemnation (Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 1:22). 

We should all say with Paul, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” 

As you wind down for the night, think about these things