No Condemnation and No Separation There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35 Romans 8 is a much loved chapter of the Bible. Many Bible scholars claim Romans 8 to be their favorite chapter of the Bible because it is a chapter that helps us understand the doctrine of eternal security. After the internal struggle that Paul expressed at the end of Chapter 7, it is refreshing to see him open Romans 8 with these words, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” These words are for those who have put their faith and trust in Christ as Savior. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, ‘Abba, Father,’” (Romans 8:15). There are many wonderful truths in Romans 8. The beginning and ending of the chapter help the reader understand the context and content of the rest of the other verses. Paul starts by saying there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This shows God’s mercy—not giving us what we deserve. It ends with the fact that we cannot be separated from His love. This is God’s grace—giving us what we do not deserve. We are free from the law of sin and death (i.e. judgment, v2)! However, Jesus Christ was judged for our sin and died in our place. In Adam we are sinners who deserve punishment by death (Romans 5). Jesus accepted our punishment on the cross. In Christ we are justified in God’s sight by faith in the finished work of Jesus (Romans 8:33, 34). We enjoy the mercy of God because we are in Christ and God has accepted Jesus’ sacrifice. There is no condemnation on us today. Praise the Lord! Verse 35 asks the question, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” The answer, of course, is no one. Then Paul continues to say that no created thing is able to separate us either. Neither tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril nor sword can separate us from God’s love. Why? Because we are more than conquerors in Christ! Beyond the natural things that can happen to a man, Paul lists things completely out of our control to show how secure we are in Christ. He says that he is convinced that death and life are no match for God’s love. Angels, principalities and powers have no authority over those who are in Christ. The list continues with the present and future as well as all creation being named as things which cannot separate us from the love of Christ. The final five verses of Romans 8 show us that we can enjoy the grace of God through Jesus Christ. This grace is not temporary. Those who are alive in Christ have the eternal security that they will never be separated from the love of Christ. Is it any wonder that this book and chapter in the Bible is so well loved? It is an encouraging and heart-warming reminder that we have such a loving Heavenly Father. He is merciful and gracious to everyone. For those that are in Christ Jesus, not only are we free from the condemnation that we deserve for being the sinful creatures that we are, but we can also be sure that because of the grace of God (grace that is not temporary) we will never be separated from the love of Christ. Aaron Hodges