Defeating Plaguing Guilt and Condemnation: Romans 8:1-4
“1) Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3) For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4) so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4
These verses are worth of committing to memory. They state clearly that the believer is no longer under condemnation from God. Why? Because the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus set us free from the law of sin and of death. Jesus accomplished by becoming flesh what no human was able to do. He fulfilled the Law. He was sinless.
In doing so, He became the spotless lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. His death on the cross paid the full sentence of human sin. He took the sting of death out of the Law. He made it possible for the believer to look into the eyes of the accuser of the brethren and say, “covered by the blood of Jesus!” And; “Redeemed and Forgiven by God!”
But there is more. He also made a way for sinful people to live holy lives by walking in the Spirit. (See vs 4) The Holy Spirit fulfills the Law. So does the believer who is walking in the Spirit. Just as Agape love is the fulfillment of the Law, so is the full fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:23 closes the list of the fruit of the spirit by saying; “against such things there is not law!”
If you have been justified by faith and are still plagued with fear, anxiety, plaguing guilt or feelings of condemnation, it’s either because you don’t understand the gospel or because you are listening to the accuser of the brethren. (Revelation 12:10) The Holy Spirit gently convict to bring confession, repentance, forgiveness and restoration. He never brings up past sins already confessed.
By contrast, the accuser of the brethren is relentless. He heaps guilt and condemnation on people. He leaves them feeling hopeless, helpless, dirty and unworthy. He will try to convince you that your past is so bad that God cannot forgive you.
I have worked with believers who are so deceived they are convinced they have lost their salvation and are worse than dung before God. Some battle severe anxiety disorders.
I teach them how to grab their Bible and resist the enemy by speaking truth into his defeated face. Part of that truth is Romans 8:1; “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. If you need more Scripture to stand on, proceed immediately to Romans 8:31-39. Trust me, they will be self explanatory when you read those verses.
The only thing that remains for the genuine believer who is under plaguing guilt and condemnation is to forgive themself. This is a major challenge for some people. But if God can forgive you, you can find the grace in Christ to forgive yourself. This text in Romans 8 is very significant for your journey to personal wholeness.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global