Righteousness in Jesus – Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
No condemnation, none; this is the promise to those who have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
If God does not condemn us, we must not condemn ourselves. We can set down the burden for our sins, which, were it not for the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying power, would lead us into a swamp, leaving us no foothold as they drag us ever deeper into cold, dark waters.[1]
Rather than living in shame, we can praise God, for in His mercy, He has delivered us from our sins and removed their weight from us. We need no longer relive the unholy acts we performed in darkness, convicting ourselves as too stained to come before a holy God. For Jesus has overruled the judgment we would pass upon ourselves and has made us worthy to receive His righteousness.[2]
Therefore, being the recipient of so great a gift, wrap yourself in Jesus Christ, allowing no taint of guilt to lessen the joy of your undefiled position in Him. Confess and turn away from your sins, and if past sins accuse you of being unacceptable to God, go and reason together with Jesus. Receive the good news that though your sins are as crimson, He will make them like purest wool.[3] Though the Father disqualifies the unrighteous from inheriting His kingdom,[4] rejoice for Jesus, our reconciliation, opens the gates of the kingdom to us when we call upon Him and ask Him to lift us out of the miry clay and set our feet upon solid rock.[5] The King of the universe adopts us into His family, granting us eternal life, covering our transgressions while refusing forevermore to hold them against us.[6] He takes away our dishonor as He washes, sanctifies, and justifies us by His holy name and through His Spirit,[7] making us worthy to stand unashamed before Him.
Bear the shame of your sins no
longer. Confess them daily, repent of
them, and be done with them forever.
Behold your Savior, and marvel at His love. Look to Jesus, the One who paid the price in full
for your sins, and He will lift you high above all condemnation and seat you in
heavens’ regions with Him, where you will enter into the inner sanctuary of the
King clothed in salvation and wrapped in a robe of virtue.[8] Stand before your
Lord, and you will find assurance that one day you will wear, before princes
and kings, the royal crown of righteousness, which the Lord has set aside for
you in heaven.[9]
I stood before my Lord and King
My awestruck heart my offering
I wore a pure, white flowing gown
And righteousness adorned my crown
Behind me laid the crimson trail
I’d traveled on with much travail
Until my Bridegroom searched for me
And paid the price to set me free
And though my sins were black as night
He told me, “You are pure and bright
My blood has washed clean every stain
My love has broken every chain
“With tenderness, I’ve dried your tears
And given faith to quell your fears
So, come with Me and be My bride
And by still waters we’ll reside
“For all the ages yet to be
Throughout all times, eternity
I’ll treasure, honor, cherish you
And I will make all things anew”
[1] Psalm 69:2
[2] Philippians 3:9
[3] Isaiah 1:18
[4] 1 Corinthians 6:9
[5] Psalm 40:2
[6] Romans 4:7-8
[7] 1 Corinthians 6:11
[8] Isaiah 61:10
[9] 2 Timothy 4:8
