CONDEMNATION

Romans 8:1 – Therefore, [there is] now no COMDEMNATION (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.

A condemned building is a dirty and depressing site. A once newly built establishment with hopes of prosperity and a future, now decrepit and worthless. A building is pronounced condemned mainly because of its potential for danger: rotten floors, faulty wiring, moldy internal structures, crumbling foundation. No human could dwell safely within such conditions. When sin enters our dwelling place it begins its cancerous attack on all levels. The attic holding our thoughts and beliefs becomes infested with rabid bats, the furnace of our hearts goes out and leaves a deadly draft, and the foundation of our lives begins to disintegrate leaving us a house built on nothing more than sand (Matthew 7:26).

But at the opening of Romans 8, Paul is pronouncing the Good News that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. When we fully and sincerely allow Christ into our hearts and give Him full reign in our lives, walking after His Spirit and no longer after the desires of the flesh, then He will bring in a Holy cleaning crew to remodel His new dwelling place. The dirt and decay of sin will be washed clean, hidden garbage stuffed away in closets will be removed, a new foundation laid, and even new paint and curtains for an outward glow of joy. Don’t let shame and guilt over your present condition keep Christ from coming in. He can’t wait to burn that “condemned” sign that the enemy put up on your front lawn and do some divine remodeling.