“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1 (NKJV)

We all have failed to live up to God’s divine standard at one time or another. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 (NKJV) Perhaps the failure was intentional, or maybe unintentional. The transgression could have been habitual. The act of rebellion could have also been premeditated and maybe it even had conspiratorial implications. We struggle for justification by comparing our sin with the known sin of someone that we know; telling ourselves that what we did was not that bad in contrast to theirs. We even place a collective spin on the matter by declaring that “everyone is doing it.” We soon find out that channeling our transgressions in contrast to others doesn’t remedy the fact that we transgressed the law of God. What a horrible feeling that can strain and stress us to the very core of our being. The psalmist David can attest to this very fact concerning his own trespasses. “When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all day long.” Psalm 32:3 (NKJV)

All unrighteousness is sin and must be dealt with. Jesus did just that on Calvary when He died for our sins past, present, and future. He shed His blood as a substitute sacrifice for us. It is the clear and undisputable evidence that His life was given for us and that He has provided the means for cleansing, forgiveness, and redemption. It is the greatest demonstration of not only His love for us, but His willingness to forgive us when we confess our trespasses and repent. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” First John 1:9 (NKJV) In essence, He releases us from our transgressions never to bring them before us again. However, we must come to the point where we release ourselves and not place ourselves in further condemnation for an act that God no longer remembers.

As we look at our devotional passage we find the word “therefore.” Therefore reaches back to Romans 3:21 through Romans 7:25 with the highlight being Paul's explanation of salvation by faith, and faith alone. As a result, there is "no condemnation" to those who are in Christ Jesus. The word condemnation is defined as "being under a damnatory sentence or punishment." There is no need to “condemn” ourselves for something that God through Jesus Christ has already forgiven us for. The term "in Christ" is used by Paul at least once or more in each of his epistles. It is our place of safety and security that prevents us from being condemned as it relates to the law of sin because of the shed blood of Jesus. The power of this passage provides the revelation that “releases” us from bondage to our past transgressions and allows us to go on with our life without guilt or shame.

Release yourself in order to be free to fulfill the work that God has placed you on the earth to accomplish without bondage or fear. Release yourself that your worship will be in spirit and in truth without hinderance or reluctance. Lastly, release yourself so your walk will not be in the flesh, but in the Spirit of the living God. Then and only then will you truly be free. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1 (NKJV)