No Condemnation

Outlaws And Inlaws

| June 6, 1976

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Scripture Reference: Romans 8:1—4

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Selected highlights from this sermon

Paul begins Romans 8 by saying, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” In context, Paul is writing to people surrounded by sin and living in a wicked city—very much the same situation many of us find ourselves in today.

Pastor Wiersbe unpacks three reasons why this statement by Paul is so wonderful. If you are saved, the law cannot claim, condemn, or control you. Because of a Christ, a believer’s standing before God is unchanging.

Transcripts for Dr. Wiersbe's sermons are forthcoming. Below is an outline of his message.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Paul was writing to people who were living in a wicked city surrounded by sin.

Three reasons this statement is so wonderful:

This statement is the declaration of a wonderful truth.
- Once a sinner has trusted Jesus Christ as savior he is saved eternally.
- There is still sin, mistakes, and failure.
- Believers will never be eternally condemned for sin.
- One theme of Romans 8 is freedom.
  - Freedom from judgment (Romans 8:1-4).
  - Freedom from defeat (Romans 8:5-17).
  - Freedom from discouragement (Romans 8:18-30).
  - Freedom from fear (Romans 8:31-39).
- When you know Jesus as your savior there is no condemnation or separation.
- The fact that you are not condemned does not depend on your walk, it depends on your standing.
This statement is the conclusion of a wonderful argument.
- The first three chapters of Romans show that the law makes every man guilty.
- Justification is the act of God in which He declares the believing sinner righteous in Jesus Christ (Romans 4-5).
- Justification is an act, not a process. Justification changes your standing.
- When God saved you, He not only wiped your record clean, He covered it with His righteousness.
- A believer’s standing before God is in Christ, and it is unchanging.
This statement is an invitation to a wonderful life.
- Christians are no longer under the law.
- We are no longer outlaws but inlaws.
- Legalism is setting high standards and trying to live up to those standards in your own strength.
- A hypocrite is harder on others than they are on themselves.
- Human nature rebels against the law. The law draws out the worst in people (Romans 7).
- If you are saved, the Law cannot claim, condemn, or control you.
- When you love the Lord you don’t want to go out and disgrace His name.
- When you walk in the Spirit, the Lord fulfills His will for your life.