Therefore

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

Romans 8:1 NIV

So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against

those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One.

Romans 8:1 TPT

Therefore - Strong’s Lexicon 686: Then, therefore, since

Dictionary: for that reason, consequently, as a result or effect of an action

No - Strong’s Lexicon 3762: No one, none, nothing

Condemnation - Strong’s Lexicon 2631: Punishment following condemnation, penal

servitude, penalty. Dictionary - the expression of very strong disapproval, criticism

In - Strong’s Lexicon 1722: A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality,

i.e. a relation of rest; in

To paraphrase this verse using the definitions above, it would read something like this:

As the result of the death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection, there is now NO, NO ONE, NOTHING that can penalize, disapprove, nor criticize anyone who is in a relationship - a relation of rest - in Christ Jesus.

Therefore, all accusations brought against those in Christ Jesus are not binding. Condemnation holds no ground. For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom! Every criticism is null and void. In Christ, the accuser is silenced, for the Word of the Lord reigns over every charge against us. We are liberated from the law of sin and death; miraculously emancipated, a new found peace floods our mind for in Christ, we find rest.

Nevertheless, throughout life a stockpile of condemnation can overtake us without even being aware of it. Words of disapproval become knit into our core. Through our agreement with them, we believe what was spoken, allowing such words to form our self-image. Regardless of our circumstances, when we come to the cross, the Word of Christ has the power to transform our battered image, bringing healing to the wounded soul.

I started at a young age yoking with criticism, for critical words cloaked as humor ran rampant in our home. In childhood, I was chubby. The kids were relentless to point out my form. Their words helped to format my insecurities only to enforce a wrong perception of body-image. School years proved to be full of landmines configured of criticism. The church, well, the church presented laws of unrest positioning me for a life of striving - basing my value on my performance. Religious guilt released a torrent of condemning thoughts that soon saturated my identity - tainting my individuality.

I wore disapproval as customized earbuds from the enemy through which condemnation continually played. The divorce of my parents labeled me at age nine…my fault…my failure…there must be something wrong with me that caused my parent’s separation. At the age of nineteen, my first husband’s verbal, emotional, and physical abuse increased the deficit of my self-worth. Divorced at twenty-five, though free from violence, I remained trapped by self-doubt. Future bad choices compounded my shame. Persevering, I combatted my insecurities with shallow pride - puffing myself up where I had been deflated. Yet, secretly I agreed with the enemy’s discourse. Never at rest. Never measuring up. Not good enough. Always competing with my inner self and those around me; convinced, I had to do more to prove my worth.

Then, Jesus entered. He crossed over the abyss of my darkness and rescued me. He accepted me - just as I am. Unconditional love! No strings attached! Awakened, my eyes have been opened through the clarity of the cross. The light of God’s Word has illuminated my dark thinking. Steadily, over time, the radiance of the Lord’s presence has transformed me.

As the Lord ministers to me through His still small voice, I have found His perception of me to be totally different than what I believed. The Father sees us all through the brilliance of the cross. The spotlight of God’s grace consumes all shame. His Word over us shines with abundant life. We are made new. The apple of His eye. Fearfully and wonderfully made. Righteous. Holy. Pure. Free. Grafted in. Beautiful in His sight. Of great worth. Radiant. Accepted. Loved. Complete. Healed. The list goes on. Page by page, our value is written in His Holy Book for all to behold.

It is a choice. Whose word will you believe? The words of accusation? Or the Word of the Lord? Though condemnation still encroaches, I choose to agree with the Word of the Lord.

Therefore, as a result of the actions of Christ - death on the cross - accusation falls to the ground. Consequently, nothing condemns me: no one, no thing. Christ took my punishment, silencing the accuser. The Father receives me through the glorious obedience of His Son. The Resurrection Light of God fills me. The Power of His Presence illuminates my path to victory!

In Christ, I have a position…a relation of rest …and so do you…in Christ.

So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus the Anointed One. Romans 8:1 TPT

Prayer

Father,

I had no idea! I didn’t realize that I have been agreeing with the enemy. I just took in what was spoken over me. I swallowed the hook of condemnation and it has anchored in my core. I repent for agreeing with the condemning words of the accuser. I repent for condemning myself. I am guilty. I stand perplexed by the scheme of the enemy to contort my identity. I was blinded by his darkness. Within this moment, I turn to Your Light. Please remove from me the scales of deception fixed upon my eyes, that I may see myself as You see me.

I repent for believing the accuser. I was deceived. I thought the accusations were true. I lay down every condemning word, action, thought, belief - no matter how painful the event, or how real the words appear to be - I release them to the Lord Jesus Christ. I break every agreement I have made with the enemy, and I forgive all of those who rose against me.

Father, reach into the deep, dark recesses of my soul. Remove from me my hidden shame. Silence the struggle within me. Consume my every darkness. At this moment of surrender, I turn to You. Lord, exchange in me, every accusation for the illuminating truth of Your Word .

I declare, in Christ, I am enough. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Holy and dearly loved. I have purpose. God has a plan for my life. Though I make mistakes, I am not a mistake. Through the Lord’s sacrifice on the cross, I have been made whole. I stand blameless in the presence of God through the brilliance of the cross. I exchange my insecurities for the victory accomplished at Calvary. I believe the Word of the Lord! I am free to be all God has made me to be!

In the Name of Jesus, I break the measuring stick of condemnation off of my life. I declare that the only measuring stick over me is the cross of Christ. Through the cross, Jesus filled ALL measure of performance fulfilling my every short-coming. In Christ, all debt has been paid!

It is finished!

So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against me.

In Christ!

Yes and Amen!