Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. That is a sweeping, comprehensive statement. The word “condemnation” implies two things: God is paying close attention, and He gives final approval to what He sees.
I know a Christian I greatly admire who thinks that God is too far above and beyond us to notice the little details of our lives. He is trying to handle the war in Ukraine, the tension in the Middle East, the natural disasters that happen frequently…He is too big, and the problems are too big for Him to bother with little old me. Actually, my friend is believing God is too small to handle the whole world and have anything left over for me. The truth as Jesus explains it is that God has numbered every hair on our heads and is aware of every sparrow that falls. He discerns the thoughts and intentions of my heart (Heb.4:12). He is paying attention.
That may not be particularly encouraging. I’m a mess. My thoughts are occasionally hateful, selfish, …maybe disgusting. The devil, my accuser, delights in reminding me of this. So how can a just, holy God look at me with no condemnation?
When I was a boy, I heard a little story that transformed my life, and I delight to recall it in my old age. A little boy (like me) went into a secondhand store to look for a present for his mom. He had no money, just a few good wishes for Mom (again, I identified). He handled a vase clumsily and it dropped and broke. (Yep, me again.) The store owner was in a dark mood. He confronted the young offender, reminding him of the posted sign: “If you break it, you must buy it.” Apologies and excuses aren’t enough, a small crowd is gathering to watch the boy’s humiliation and anxiety. I recognized that this was a story about me breaking God’s rules, about not coveting, respecting my parents, putting Him first, etc. I felt the heat and the hopelessness.
The story continued. A man stepped out of the group of people and reached into his pocket. He made a welcome, gracious offer: “I’ll pay what this boy owes”. What a relief! Jesus’ death on the cross was that gracious gift. I accepted His gift that day, and I live in the glorious relief and freedom brought to me by the cross. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. They may be guilty of breaking the rules, they may be full of shame and fear, but however they FEEL, the FACT is they have been forgiven.
I hope this story is your story too. When you thank God for paying the penalty you owe, you have found forgiveness and friendship with God. No matter what your past contains, no matter how the accuser rages, no matter how you feel, there is no condemnation.