Decades ago, I sang in our high school’s choral group. One evening I drove two other members to a nursing home where we would sing. None of us had been there before and (as this was in the 70’s) we only had written instructions—no Siri or cell phones. I had a terrible sense of direction and eventually realized we were going the wrong way. With no upcoming exits appearing anywhere on the highway, I slowed down and crossed the median to turn around.
Before long blue lights shone in my rearview mirror and I stopped on the shoulder of the road. The officer asked if I knew why he’d pulled me over. Shaking in fear I replied, “Because I was speeding?” (I had indeed been speeding in my search for an exit where I could turn around.) To my surprise he informed me that crossing the median was illegal. Shocked, I apologized and said I didn’t realize that—which was true. And when he saw the three of us dressed in identical light blue skirts and vests with matching white blouses and shoes, he believed my story that we were late to sing at a nursing home. He didn’t know if I’d been speeding, although I’d just confessed that fact. But he had mercy on me and let me go with only a warning.
I knew my guilt! He knew my guilt! Yet he let me go. While not a perfect analogy, this reminds me of Romans 8:1–Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
This may be the most important Bible verse for Christians to understand. We are NOT under condemnation. We are NOT being judged. Yes, the Father corrects us—just as that officer corrected me–but it’s to help us, not to punish us. Like sheep, we wander off from time to time and need to be brought back. But a good shepherd doesn’t yell at or berate or beat a sheep for wandering away. He uses his staff and words to guide the sheep back into the fold. One of the saddest things in the world is a Christian who believes God is angry and vengeful towards him or her.
This verse, this truth, makes me want to shout, “Thank You, Jesus!!!” I love knowing that I am NOT under the leering eye of an angry God. Because of Jesus, I never have to worry about what God might do to me if I don’t live up to His standards.
My God-given conscience tells me I’m guilty the moment I’ve disobeyed. And the devil delights in pointing out my failure—heaping on condemnation in the process. But guilt is quite different from condemnation. I can deal with guilt by admitting it and then thanking God for His forgiveness, paid for by the blood of Jesus. It’s like taking a nice hot shower!
To deal with condemnation, however, the key is this verse! Rather than feeling hopeless and helpless, I raise up Romans 8:1 like a banner, point to the cross, and ignore the devil’s verdict. Don’t run in fear from God; run TO Him to receive grace (Hebrews 4:16).
