1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

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

— Romans 8:1-2

31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

32 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

— Romans 8:31-32

1 Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.

2 Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.

— 1 John 3:1-2

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Paul’s struggle with sin reminds us that the Christian life isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being surrendered to God in a world that prizes self-sufficiency. Paul calls us to lay down our pride and lean into God‘s grace every day. In Romans 8, Paul tells us a powerful truth that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Even in our struggle God doesn’t condemn us. Instead He offers us His Spirit to help, to strengthen us, and to remind us of our new identity as His beloved children.

Imagine the relief of knowing that even in your struggles, you are still fully accepted and fully loved by God. When Paul experiences struggles, he isn’t looking for sympathy. He’s inviting us to find hope. The struggle is real, but it doesn’t define us! What defines us? Our God‘s grace, forgiveness and His promise is to be with us every step of the way. Paul exposes the tension that every believer feels, but he also points us to the solution — life of trusting God and Christ’s grace.