Divine Wrath Has Passed

“There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1)

There is therefore now! In Romans 7:7-24, Paul expressed despair regarding his corrupt and helpless state. Concluding his anguish, he described himself as a “...wretched man...” and asked, “Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” If it were, what it would require something from him, a deed or decision. Being Spirit-inspired, he said “Who”. He followed that with a simple yet profound statement: “I thank God through Jesus Christ our LORD”. Thus, he opened the eighth chapter looking back to that statement. The phrase is literally, ‘Then now’, meaning since Christ entered humanity, fulfilled the law and earned righteousness, which God imputed to the account of His elect; thereby justifying them.

“...no condemnation:”Here’s a strong exclamation! No means NO, 1 Tim 6:7. By ‘condemnation’ is meant the damning sentence accounted to all the offspring of the first man of this world, Gen. 3:1-8; Rom. 5:12. “Shaped in iniquity…conceived in sin.” (Psalm 51:5) Man enters humanity under arrest, indicted as a criminal and doomed for punishment. Under this grim charge, man can find no escape. Millions live and die under God’s wrathful judgment. The most amazing thing occurred, Jesus Christ entered. On behalf of His elect, God declared His elect not condemned and “...freely justified.” (Rom. 3:24)

“...to them which are in Christ Jesus” The Scriptures say: “…HE [God] has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.” (Eph. 1:4) Being borne by Christ on their behalf, this damning sentence worthy of capital punishment was disannulled at the cross. For the ‘chosen’, God’s elect, Divine wrath has passed!