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NO CONDEMNATION

There are multiple means by which to speak of man in Adam in contrast to man in Christ, man in his natural state in contrast to man in his redeemed state. And there are only two states or conditions that can be true for man: he is either lost or he has been found; he is a goat or a sheep, tare or wheat; he is either earthly controlled or he is living with eternity in view.

One means to depict man is by the use of three words: “Condemnation” or “No Condemnation.”  Consider these two possibilities.

Condemnation is the condition of one who is outside of Christ: “He who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (Jo. 3:18). The natural man does not believe in Christ and is condemned, and he is presently condemned. Condemnation means that there is a judgment against the individual; the individual has had a verdict issued that finds him guilty and deserving of punishment.

The decree of condemnation is God’s decree, and it is upon every man because of the deed of Adam: “the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation” (Rom. 5:16) and  “through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation” (Rom. 5:18). Of course, the one man and the one offense refer to Adam and his rebellious act. In Adam all the race was identified and all the race died; and with the spiritual death came condemnation (see: Man's Disobedience).

The issue of man is God and the fact that man is condemned by and before God, and there is nothing that man can do. By keeping the Law no one will be justified (Rom. 3:20), because everyone sins and breaks the law; man cannot arrive at righteousness by keeping the Law and thus have condemnation removed. The purpose of the law is not regeneration and forgiveness.

No Condemnation is the state of one who is in Christ: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1), and “He who believes is not condemned” (Jo. 3:18). For the one who is in Christ the condemnation is removed—no guilt, no judgment, no punishment.

To have no condemnation is to “have peace with God” (Rom. 5:1). Only with the realization of peace with God is there psychological wholeness. Where there is no peace there can only be fragmentation and spiritual struggle. And yet in the midst of the anguish and torment there is a longing for rest. But rest is only the confidence that nothing is between my soul and the Savior.  



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