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.