Day 44

Exodus 37–38 | Romans 8:1–17

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

I’ve had a lot of time to think these past few months. More time than I ever wanted.

When you’re stuck at home, unable to work, unable to drive, unable to do much of anything without help, your thoughts catch up to you. And when they do, they aren’t always kind.

I think about all the ways I’ve failed. As a husband, as a father, as a friend. I think about things I should have said and things I never should have. I replay moments I wish I could take back. I feel the weight of guilt, the sting of regret.

And then I come to Romans 8:1.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

I need this verse today. Maybe you do too.

Because we all have moments we’d rather forget. Words we wish we could unsay. Decisions we wish we could undo. And if we aren’t careful, the enemy will use those failures to keep us stuck—trapped in a cycle of shame, convinced that we are too broken, too weak, too unworthy.

Because the punishment we deserved was already poured out—on Jesus.

But Romans 8 is a declaration of freedom.

No condemnation.

Not less condemnation. Not occasional condemnation. None.

If you are in Christ, there is no guilt that sticks. No past mistake that defines you. No sin that can separate you from His love.

And yet, so often, we live as if there is.

We keep punishing ourselves for what Jesus already paid for. We keep carrying what He has already removed.

But why do we struggle to believe this? Why do we keep picking up the weight Christ has already taken?

Romans 8:2 gives the answer:

“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

If you are in Christ, you are already free.

That doesn’t mean sin isn’t serious. It doesn’t mean our choices don’t have consequences. It doesn’t mean we live however we want. But it does mean that we don’t have to walk in fear, in guilt, in self-condemnation.

The cross is not just a symbol of forgiveness. It is the proof that every ounce of condemnation that should have been ours was placed on Him instead. And that’s not the only thing that happened there.

We weren’t just pardoned. We were made righteous.

Second Corinthians 5:21 says:

“For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

God didn’t just erase our sin—He gave us the righteousness of Christ. Every perfect, obedient moment of Jesus’s life was credited to us. That means when God looks at us, He doesn’t see a sinner barely scraping by. He sees His Son.

And now?

Now we walk by the Spirit (Romans 8:4).

Now we set our minds on life and peace (Romans 8:6).

Now we live as sons and daughters of God, not slaves to fear (Romans 8:15).

So today, I will choose to believe it.

I will lay down the guilt I was never meant to carry.

I will silence the accusations that Christ has already answered.

I will remind my heart that no condemnation means none.

Lord, thank You for the freedom that is mine in Christ. Help me to live like someone who is truly free. When I am tempted to dwell on past failures, remind me that You have already paid for them. Let my life reflect the peace, joy, and assurance of one who belongs to You. Amen.