In Romans 8:1, we read one of the most beautiful statements in all of Scripture: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (ESV)." What we find throughout the book of Romans is the constant contrast between the words "condemnation" and "justification." These two words are exact opposites, and describe the two states in which we can stand before God. At their root, these words are both legal terms. We either stand condemned or justified in the sight of the Righteous Judge.  

Each of these terms are used throughout the Bible as declarative terms, assigning a status to the object. They do not necessarily speak of the reality of the character of the person, but rather how they are perceived before the court. For example, in the Old Testament, we see many instances where God expresses His extreme displeasure with the one who "justifies the wicked and... condemns the righteous (Prov. 17:15 ESV)." He calls each of these false declarations "an abomination." There are also instances where someone attempts to "justify" God (Job 32:2). Clearly, these statements are not making God righteous, but rather declaring Him to be so.

These statuses of condemnation or justification are a result of the representation or advocate of the accused party. Therefore, whomever we choose to represent us - ourselves or Jesus Christ - becomes a decision of the greatest importance. When we place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, we are choosing Him to be our representative. He stands for us as our "Advocate (1 John 2:1)", and justifies us, declaring us as righteous in Him. His life, His death, and His resurrection become our own when we trust in Him rather than our own work, because He has substituted Himself for us. When God the Father sees us, He sees us through Christ. He sees us as righteous, not because of anything we have done, but because of what Jesus has done for us. He stands in our place, and we are justified because of Him.

This is the beautiful news here: in Christ, we no longer stand condemned before God. Instead, we are justified in His sight because of the finished work of Jesus, our Advocate, and we now have freedom as a result.

May we never cease to thank and praise Jesus Christ for His amazing mercy and grace toward us!

In the Son,

Bill Horn
FBC Worship Arts Pastor