The eighth chapter of Romans begins with this powerful message: “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death” (verses 1–2).

This tells us that although we will never be completely free of sin while we live in these mortal bodies (see Romans 7), we are freed from the power of sin over our bodies and free from the control of indwelling sin — meaning sin within us. Paul tells his readers that the law — meaning the Law of Moses — could do nothing to release us from the power of sin, that it could only show us how sinful we really are. The power of the life-giving Spirit of God, on the other hand, has freed all who believe “from the power of sin that leads to death.” Yes, even those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ are prone to sin at times, but they are never to be controlled by or dominated by the sin that once so cruelly ruled over them.

Romans 8 opens by telling us that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus, and it ends by telling us that there is nothing that can separate us from his love:

This is what the life in Christ is all about. We aren';t condemned, but we are loved and freed to live a godly life. And no matter what happens — no matter what kind of opposition comes our way — nothing can remove us from God';s love, which was demonstrated through Jesus Christ.

Study Questions

How does knowing that there is no condemnation for you affect your life for and in Jesus Christ?

What part do you think God';s Holy Spirit plays in your personal daily walk with Jesus Christ?