Can there be any condemnation for those who are in Christ? Truth or Myth by Alan Ballou
You have heard the verse before. In fact, you can probably quote it by heart. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, right? Well, get your Bible out for a second and let’s take a look.
First of all, know that the newer Bibles leave out the last part of verse one. You will probably see a little “a” right before the verse ends, that you can reference to the bottom of the page (footnotes). There you will see the rest of that verse, which reads similar to the NKJV below.
Romans 8:1
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. NKJV
It makes a big difference when the latter part of that verse is missing, but let’s not go too fast. I’m not asking you to change Bibles right now, so stay with me.
I usually don’t ask people to change their version of the Bible when I am teaching. I try to read all of the Bibles so that I can see what view-point they have and what they are missing out on. That’s just so I will know how to help people if I have the opportunity to teach them.
So let’s assume that you use one of the newer Bibles that omits the latter half of Romans 8:1 for whatever reason. That’s okay because verse 4 is still in about 99% of the Bibles out there today, with the exception of the Message Bible, and maybe a few others. Read verse 4 below from some of the Bibles I use.
Romans 8:4
4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ESV
Romans 8:4
4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. New Living Translation
Romans 8:4
4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ASV
Romans 8:4
4 in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Holman Christian Standard Bible
Romans 8:4
4 in order that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. RSV
Romans 8:4
4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. NASU
As you can see, in verse 4, we have that same condition that was in verse 1 above. We have to walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh. It’s in the same passage of scripture, just 2 verses later. The righteous requirements of the Law, meaning the Laws of Moses, are only going to be met in those who walk according to the Spirit, and not in those who walk according to the flesh.
So, is there no condemnation for those who are in Christ? Is it just a matter of which Bible you read? Well, people can be “in Christ,” and still receive grace for walking in the flesh. However, in the end, all who continue to walk in the flesh will be weeded out of the Kingdom of Christ (Matthew 13:40-43), and then only the righteous will make it into the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:20, 1 Peter 4:17-18). Verses below.
Matthew 5:20
20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. NKJV
Matthew 13:40-43
40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! NKJV
1 Peter 4:17-18
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” NKJV
So, there is still condemnation in those who walk in the flesh and use grace as a license to sin. Therefore, even though verse one has been shortened in the newer Bibles it still stands as truth and can be proven in those same Bibles for now, but give it a little more time.
Someone might ask if we can receive grace all the way up until we enter the Kingdom of Heaven? We only gain access into grace through faith (Romans 5:2). Check it! If we do not continue in our faith, we will not remain in the condition we were in after first receiving grace (Colossians 1:21-23, Hebrews 10:36-39). The goal of our faith is the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:9). So, if we do not continue in our faith we will not make it.
If we continue in our faith, we will come to know Jesus in putting off our old self (Ephesians 4:20-24), and obeying His commands (1 John 2:3). Remember in Matthew 7:21-23; away from Me I never knew you! People who plan on making it to Heaven, make sure that they know Jesus according to faith, which those verses explain. People who think that they know Jesus because they have accepted false doctrines, do not come to know Him in accordance with those verses. Test what I am telling you.
If we continue in our faith, we will also stop conforming to this world, and renew our minds with the truth (Romans 12:1-2), which will make a whole list of sins stop automatically (Romans 1:28-32, John 8:31-37). Check it! People who say Christian cannot stop sinning do not speak in line with the faith and are misleading millions of people. That’s understandable, since those who speak against the faith, fall away from the faith (1 Timothy 6:20-21).
If we continue in our faith we will learn to suffer (Philippians 1:29), and in doing so we will cease from sin and live the rest of our lives here on Earth for the will of God (1 Peter 4:1-5). You probably think I pulled that out of a hat don’t you? You better check the verses to see who is telling the truth. I did not learn this from a man. Praise God!
There are things we can do to where we will “never fall” or “never stumble again” according to 2 Peter 1:10-11. There are other methods (process, ways) that go along side these, which I discuss in detail in my book “How To Stop Sinning,” but I think you get the picture. If we continue in our faith, we can’t help but stop sins that lead to death in the least, since they keep us out of the Kingdom (Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9, Ephesians 5:3-5).
Better check the verses to see if I speak according to what is written! Get this. If God has sent someone to speak, he will speak according to God’s Words (John 3:34, Jeremiah 23:22). When man calls someone to speak, they can say what they want.
You might want to get an older Bible like the New King James Version though if you are planning on studying. You don’t have to trash your Bible, but just make sure you have at least one older Bible to study with, since taking verses out of the Bible has been happening since before I was born. How do you know if you have a newer Bible? If your Bible does have Acts 8:37 in it, it’s new. That’s one of the verses that was taken out long ago.
Not only are verses being taken out, but verses like Romans 8:4 are not even recognizable in bibles like the Message Bible. The verses used for comparison in the store sound nice and look good, but if you know your Bible, then you know just how dangerous a book like the Message Bible is. It’s not the verses that the everyday Christian recognizes, but the ones that shatter the false doctrines that are widely preached today.
That is the reason why well-meaning people, who have been deceived, stop reading at Romans 8:1 when they declare that there is no condemnation for those who are “in Christ.” If they would keep reading, they would see that same condition is still in there at verse 4.
When unsuspecting people continually hear that there is no condemnation, they live like they want to live. However, Jesus declared that a slave to sin does not abide (remain) in the house forever. He may be in the house (in Christ) because he got saved, but while there he is expected to crucify his sinful nature in order to remain (Galatians 5:24, John 8:34-36). Verses below.
John 8:34-36
34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. NKJV
Galatians 5:24-25
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. NKJV
If we walk in the Spirit, we will not carry out our sinful nature desires (Galatians 5:16). That’s another process that I discuss in the book, “How To Stop Sinning.” We need to know about walking or living according to the Spirit. How do we walk in the Spirit? That same passage of scripture explains it.
Romans 8:4-8
4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. NKJV
That same passage of scripture goes into detail about living according to the Spirit. Notice that those who live (walk in some Bibles) according to the flesh are hostile (enmity) toward God (verse 7 above). They have a mind of death (verse 6 above), and they cannot please God (verse 8).
On the other hand, those who live according to the Spirit have life and peace (verse 6 above). Imagine how many good church attending people do not know that. How many Christians are on drugs used to calm their minds? Do they know these scriptures? No, and like I have said before, their conscience is screaming to repent (turn) and go in the other direction, but they do not know how, and no one is teaching this stuff. That’s shocking to me.
I know that verses like this would change health care in this country. How many people today believe that the Holy Spirit is living in them when the Spirit of God does not dwell in someone who is in the flesh (Romans 8:9 below). He could be “with” them according to John 14:17, but not “in” those who live according to the flesh.
Romans 8:9
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. NKJV
Imagine that. Just because of our mind-set we could miss out on healing power living on the inside of us. Imagine that. It’s even acceptable today to keep your mind on worldly things right inside the church. Sermons today even encourage worldliness. Go be just like the people of this world, but come back next week, is the implied message. No my friend. If you do not change your mind-set, you will not make the righteousness of faith.
I have nothing to gain from you, and those who know me will tell you that I do not preach to please people, or for the “like button.” I am here to help you. I don’t ask for money and you do not have to buy my book in order to receive my help. I serve for free (1 Peter 4:10).
I’m Alan Ballou; a servant. If I can serve you, please contact me.
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