The Antidote
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1
No Condemnation – It seems as though all of my life I have been reminded that I am not good enough. Leftover childhood trauma made me an overachiever, but every overachiever knows that under the skin is a fragile human being trying desperately to prove to someone who matters that we are good enough to be loved. You might not be that overachiever, but you will certainly know someone who is. It’s a terrible mental and spiritual disorder because, no matter what you do, it is never quite good enough. Even if the entire world applauds, you still know that it could have been better.
Unfortunately, it is more often the case that the world does not applaud. What usually happens is that the world (and those significant others in it) reinforces your already dim view of your self-worth by pointing out your flaws, or at least mentioning how you have disappointed them. The longer you are subject to this spiritual illness, the less is required to recall all the past failures. Those of us who know only too well the plight of the “not good enough” evaluation are subject to either fight or flight. Neither one actually helps. Both are probably sin. Both make us even more convinced that we are simply not good enough.
That’s why we must hear what Paul says in Romans 8. We must understand that our self-worth is absolutely not a function of our performance plus the evaluation of others. Anytime we let those old messages begin to play, we will be trapped in another bout of self-deprecation and rejection. What Paul tells us is not the power of positive thinking. It is not a strong dose of self-esteem. What Paul tells us is that God has decided, entirely on the basis of Jesus’ sacrifice, to remove condemnation from us. God validates us. I won’t find my real worth in the opinion of others, no matter who they are. If God is for me, who can be against me?
There are two critical words here. The first is ouden. It is much stronger than the English “no.” It is literally, “not in the least, not a single time.” Once God decides to credit Jesus’ worth to me, there is never a moment’s hesitation or even the slightest reconsideration about my worth. I count. I matter. I am good enough to be chosen by God.
The second word is katakrima. It comes from the word for judging. It’s focused on the whole scope of verdict and execution of a sentence. God has set aside all of it. I am not held guilty and I am not subject to the punishment my guilt would incur. Jesus paid the whole price. I am released. In combination, these two words tell me that when I am in Christ, there is not even the tiniest particle of divine guilt and punishment attributed to me. I am truly washed whiter than snow.
Now, if God says that about me, why do I listen to those old messages that constantly reinforce my past unworthiness? I listen out of habit – a habit that has no place in God’s divine economy. I need to soak in His word, not the words of others. Then I will be who He says I am – worthy to be called His.
