ROM. Viii. 1. “There is
therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ
Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

THE truth here declared follows from the position taken
up by Paul in the preceding portion of his epistle.
I. There is no condemnatory sentence in execution
against Christians now. Believers in Jesus Christ still sin,
and their sins are noticed by God, and God is displeased
with them; but He does not treat them as criminals, but
as children. No sentence of condemnation is being
executed outwardly and none is being executed inwardly.
Being justified by faith we have peace with God.
II. There is no sentence of condemnation recorded for
execution. The disciple of Christ is not reproved but
pardoned, and his pardon is full and complete. In God’s
book there is no recognition whatever of the sins He has
forgiven. He does not throw our sins on the surface of the
sea to appear again like bread cast on the waters, but
buries them in the depths.
III. The absence of all condemnation is accounted for
by that which Christ is to the soul that relies upon Him.
Christ is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of
the world. Simple trust appropriates the sin-offering. He
is the High Priest who ever liveth to make intercession for
us, and faith in Jesus gives us a personal interest in that
intercession. But how may I know whether I am trusting
the true Christ, the Christ of God? The reality of our
reliance in the Christ of God is proved by the character
and style of our life. Jesus Christ leads all His disciples
to walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.
Samuel Martin