The Most Powerful Verse in the Bible

If Bible verses were medicines, some verses would be wonder drugs. Or maybe miracle cures. Like this one:

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

This single verse has the power to change your life. If you receive this truth in your heart, it will bear much good fruit. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look. The following is extracted from my book The Grace Bible: Romans.

Therefore means “Because of what God has accomplished through Jesus Christ our Lord” (see Rom. 7:25).

Many believers are burdened with guilt and condemnation. They’re stuck in Romans 7 when they could be in Romans 8. They’re under law when they could be under grace. They’re weary from walking after the old ways of the flesh when they might be frolicking in the new ways of the Spirit.

Now means you can be free from condemnation right now.

Some say, “When I stop sinning, I will have no more condemnation.” That’s old covenant thinking. In the new covenant, we start from the place of no condemnation. We receive God’s grace and are empowered to stop sinning. “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (John 8:11).

No condemnation means you have nothing to fear from the judgment of God or the penalty of sin. Sin brings death, and the law brings condemnation, but the grace of God raises the dead and justifies the sinner.

Adam’s disobedience brought condemnation to the human race, but Christ’s obedience brings life and justification (Rom. 5:18). In him, you are justified and declared innocent of all charges (Rom. 3:24). If God is for you and Christ defends you, who can accuse you (Rom. 8:33, 1 John 2:1)?

Condemnation. The original noun katakrima means “a guilty verdict.” Because of Adam, humanity received condemnation (Rom. 5:18), but those in Christ have been justified and declared not guilty.

In Christ Jesus. You were in Adam; now you are in Christ Jesus. You were in the flesh; now you are in the spirit (Rom. 8:9). The moment you put your faith in the Lord, you were transferred out of the old humanity and into the new creation family of God.

The word “union” does not appear in many English Bibles, but our union with the Lord is mentioned hundreds of times in Scripture. Paul refers to our spiritual union with phrases such as “in Christ,” “with Christ,” and “with him” (e.g., Rom. 6:4–6, 8, 11, 8:17).

We are alive to God and have eternal life in Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:11, 23).

The grace and kindness of God are found in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:7), and his forgiveness is found in Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:32).

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1), we are justified in Christ (Gal. 2:17), and our salvation is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 2:10).

Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:39). We have freedom and are sanctified in Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 1:2, Gal. 2:4).

We are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6).

The faith and love of God are found in Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 1:14).

In Christ we are brand new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17). We are complete in Christ (Col. 1:28) and blessed with every blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3).

All the glory goes to God because it is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 1:30).

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