Blog 030 - No condemnation
Posted on December 13, 2025
Romans 8 v 35-39
5 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We all have a past
I have read these verses repeatedly for many years but it was only a few years ago that I noticed something truly remarkable about this passage of scripture. In this renowned list of things that will not be able to separate us from the love of God, there is one outstanding omission – there is no mention of our PAST!
This is significant because the writer must have thought that our past is unworthy of inclusion, because our past will never be able to exclude us from the love of God.
Why mention this at all? On reflection of my own life as I approach my 65th birthday, I can assure you that there are many moments in my life where I have deep regrets about things that I have thought, said, or done - these are known as sins of commission – the things that we do. Indeed, there are many times when I have been guilty of not saying, thinking, or doing what I should have done – these are known as sins of omission – the things that we do not do. I am confident that you will be able to identify with this human condition. The Apostle Paul discusses this at length in Romas chapter 7.
It is remarkable that our past is not listed as something that will separate us from the love of God. Some people struggle terribly with their past to the extent that they are crippled with feelings of guilt or they are unable to progress in their relationship with God. If you have ever struggled with your past, I want to encourage you with another powerful verse from the New Testament.
Clean as a whistle
Colossians 1 v 21-22
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation…
Without blemish…
Think of a spectacular piece of jewellery or a magnificent watch or ornament that is presented under spotlight for the examination of an expert. What a moment it is when the expert describes the ornate beauty and pristine condition of the object under scrutiny. It is a time of celebration for the proud owner of the object in view. This is only a glimpse of what it will be like when we are presented before God after having been transformed into the image of Christ.
Free from accusation…
We could all be held accountable for saying and doing things that are not in line with a good Christian testimony. We all have moments of weakness and selfishness that remind us that the flesh is never far away. We all need to say sorry from time to time.
What will it be like when we are presented before God and there is no one to accuse or condemn us? It will be so liberating to feel such a load of guilt and shame finally being lifted from our frail shoulders. What a day of rejoicing that will be! What a moment this will be for every believer in Jesus Christ; to be presented in the sight of a Holy God, without blemish and free from accusation!
During our lives on this earth, we need to have a daily walk with God where we keep “short accounts” where we deliberately run into the presence of God in a continual state of confession and repentance which leads to renewal and sanctification.
1 John 1 v 7
If we walk in the light as He is in the light…
Walking in the light is not so much about HOW we walk, it is more about WHERE we walk! It is about walking where God is, running into His presence, every day, even when we are conscious of our sins and shortcomings, especially when we are conscious of our sins and shortcomings!
If we get into the habit of doing this, we will reduce the risk of isolation, growing cold and ultimately sliding backwards. May we be conscious of the mercy and grace of God during this festive season to such an extent that we reflect it in all our relationships.