No Condemnation: A Reflection on Romans 8
“There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.”
(Romans 8:1)
When you hear the word “condemnation,” what do you think of? Perhaps you think of it in the legal sense where someone is sentenced to a punishment. They have been “condemned” to a small room with stone walls because of a crime they’ve done. Maybe you think of it as very strong criticism toward someone or something. Indeed, these are the two definitions for condemnation: “expression of strong disapproval” and “sentencing someone to a punishment.”
When it comes to the Christian life and theology, many understand that because of Christ’s death for us, we will not be punished nor sent to hell for our sins when we are face-to-face with God. The state of our soul after we die is all set. That is a comforting and wonderful gift! We are heaven-bound. The “sentencing” part of condemnation no longer applies.
But what about the “expression of strong disapproval?” That seems to speak more to someone’s attitude toward someone or something, not just their legal status. It has implications in relationships too. This is the distinction I want to explore.
How does God look at you?
While we may be confident about where we’re going when we die, sometimes it feels like we still are under a gaze of “strong disapproval” from God. He may love me, but He probably doesn’t like me very much. I’m told that there’s no condemnation, but He could still view me in a whole array of other ways. A deep sigh of disappointment after I sin. A blank stare of indifference. A rolling of the eyes and scratching of the head that says, “I’m just so fed up with you.” It’s hard enough to get those reactions from friends and family, but to imagine that God looks at us that way? That’s almost too much to bear.
The fear of disapproval from God is enough to make anyone look away and hide. The shame that comes with that sense of disapproval is like a heavy weight on our soul. This doubt, fear, and shame can actually be a factor as to why we choose to participate in sin (Genesis 3: 7-13; 1 John 3:6, 4:18-21). The burning question then isn’t, “Am I condemned to hell or not?” It’s, “Does God really, like actually, love me?”
If Romans 8:1 was paraphrased, it might say, “There is now no strong disapproval for those in Christ Jesus.” It’s interesting how that doesn’t necessarily speak to our lives to come, but our lives now. To how He views us today. Maybe we could paraphrase it further, just to draw out its implications: “There is now, meaning at this moment right here as He looks you in the eye with a smile, no strong disapproval for those in Christ Jesus.” That’s a big deal! In fact, the love God has for His Son is the same that Jesus has for us (John 15:9). This is almost too much to take in. Is He really not ashamed of us at all? The answer is an emphatic “no!”
Experiences can shape our view of God
This can be hard to believe. But why? What gets in the way of our really believing that God doesn’t look condemningly at us? Over our lifespan, looks of disappointment, dismissiveness, or disapproval from others are all too common, especially from those who spend the most time around us. Experiences as we grow up shape how we view others, the world, ourselves, and God. We often take our negative beliefs about others or ourselves and project them onto God, often without realizing it.
So then how does Christ see us? Christ looks at His own as his dearest, most precious children (1 John 3:1). He would do anything (and did) to have you (Romans 8:15). He is never frustrated or “fed up” with you. He has so much patience and grace for you that He can’t give it away fast enough. He’s on your side, always on your team, working to get you towards your greatest good (Romans 8:31). He’s so excited to be with you. Even on the days when you don’t really want Him, He still wants you. Even on the days when you just feel really bad and couldn’t hate yourself more. He doesn’t buy the lie that you do: that you’re unlovable. When He sees how ashamed you are of yourself, He doesn’t run away. He feels so much compassion for you and desires to take that shame away.
What would your life look like?
Paul finishes chapter 8 by detailing the expanse of God’s love for us, particularly for those moments when we feel damned or unlovable. He writes, “Who dares accuse those whom God has chosen as his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us (8:33-34).”
The implications are staggering. What would your life look like—your internal world and external actions—if you truly trusted the Father’s love for you?