“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 8:1 (ESV)

When we come to Christ and are saved by His grace, something radical happens. Something eternal. Something that changes our identity forever.

Romans 8 reminds us over and over that when we are “in Christ Jesus,” we are fully righteous—not partly, not someday, but fully and completely right with God. Our sin has been nailed to the cross, and we have been clothed in the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). This means we are no longer identified by our failures, mistakes, or even our struggles.

Here’s the truth: when God looks at us, He doesn’t see sin. He sees His perfect Son.

The Flesh vs. the Spirit

Paul speaks clearly in Romans 8 about the difference between the flesh and the Spirit. The flesh is that old, broken part of us that still wars against God. It’s the part of us that desires sin, stumbles, and falls. But Paul also says:

“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.” (Romans 8:9)

As believers, we are no longer slaves to the flesh. Our sin no longer defines us. Yes, we may still battle temptation and even fall into sin, but our identity is no longer tied to what the flesh does. Instead, we are free. Free from condemnation. Free from the power of sin. Free to walk in the Spirit as beloved children of God.

Why We Don’t Judge

This changes how we see ourselves—and how we see others.

If we are in Christ and fully righteous, then we should not stand in judgment over our brothers and sisters who are also in Christ. Why? Because their sins, like ours, have been separated from them forever:

 “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)

To judge a saved person for their sin is to deny the power of the cross. It is to suggest that Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t enough. But it was. It always is.

We should, of course, hate sin. It is the enemy of God’s goodness and brings destruction wherever it goes. But we must never hate—or even resent—the sinner, especially one who belongs to Christ. We are called to love as we have been loved.

Living Free—and Loving Others

This doesn’t mean we turn a blind eye to sin. Romans 8 tells us to put to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13). But we do this out of love and freedom, not out of fear or condemnation. And we encourage our brothers and sisters with the same love: not to judge them or hold their past against them, but to remind them of who they really are in Christ—holy, blameless, and dearly loved.

So today, embrace your freedom. Rejoice in the truth that we are separated from our sin forever. And love others with the same grace God has shown us.

 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39)

If you are in Christ, you are free. You are righteous. You are loved. And nothing—not even your own failures—can change that.