Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

I’m finding out later in life deeper meaning to scripture. We’re all told by someone that they’ve read a scripture many times in their life and then suddenly one day it jumps out and grabs their heart. Well?

There is therefore NOW no condemnation. How can one judge in the courts of law without a sentence of condemnation? You know if you’re found guilty of an offence in the courts, you will be condemned to a sentence to fit the crime.  But Jesus advocated for us.  He won the case.  So if there is no condemnation, there is no judgment.

So we should not judge one another in condemnation.  But we should discern

Hebrews 5:14:  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Word: diakrisij  Pronounce: dee-ak’-ree-sis

Strongs Number: G1253

Orig: from 1252; judicial estimation:–discern(-ing), disputation. G1252

Use: TDNT-3:949,469 Noun Feminine

Heb Strong: H4657

    1) a distinguishing, discerning, judging

Some people will quote Matthew 7:1, where Christ said during the Sermon on the Mount, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Of course, when they quote this verse in regard to such situations, they take it out of context to support their fallacious claims. When we consider the concept of judging, especially as it relates to the Sermon on the Mount, Christ tells us to be discerning, not condemning.

Word: krinw  Pronounce: kree’-no

Strongs Number: G2919

Orig: properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish:–avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.

The same word for judge is used in the following scripture. 

1 Corinthians 6:2-4 King James Version (KJV)

2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?  3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?  4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

Judging “angels” in the verse below implies “a pastor” or “messenger”.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

For what the law of the old covenant could not allow for one to do was . . .

A.  Walk after the Spirit. v4

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

B.  Obtain life and peace. v6

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

C.  Allow the Spirit of God can dwell in you. v9

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

D.  Have righteousness within you. v10

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

How do we know that? 

Word: logizomai  Pronounce: log-id’-zom-ahee

Romans 4:24-25: But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

E.  Quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. v11

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

What brings us to the place Paul explains about above? No condemnation alludes to the fact that God loves us unconditionally. Look at all the things we have done. Not a pretty picture. Many children have been disappointments to their parents and we are no different in the state of humanity to God. But yet, He loves us still.

What did He do to fix the chasm between Him and us?

John 3:16 (KJV)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

That giving was death of His Son. How many would do this? He did it to redeem us from our old nature of sin and death that cannot be righted by the Mosaic law as described in the Pentateuch.

John 19:30

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. What was finished? That’s where I want to really go with this teaching. There will be more to follow