“No Condemnation”

Case Dismissed Romans 8:1

This is what God the Holy Spirit tells us about every believer’s relationship to the law. It is important to remember that these words are found right in the middle of Paul’s arguments for godliness, right in the middle of his discourse on the believer’s sanctification in Christ. This is the basis of and motive for all true godliness.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Because sin cannot be imputed to those whose sins were imputed to Christ (Rom. 4:8), because we are dead to the law (Rom. 7:4), because we died in the person of our great Surety and Substitute when he died for us, we are now and forever free from all possibility of condemnation. I read a story a long time ago which illustrates Paul’s doctrine perfectly.

Sam Houston led the battle that brought defeat to Santa Anna and his Mexican army at the battle of San Jacinto. After Texas became a Republic with Sam Houston as it’s president, the law provided free land to any soldier who had fought along side of Sam Houston at San Jacinto.

On one occasion a man by the name of Knobby Horsham was accused of defrauding another farmer of some land.

When the farmer who had accused Knobby of fraud appeared in court, he was surprised to find none other than President Sam Houston himself there to defend the accused. Knobby was considered a man of ill repute. Nine of the jurors seated were farmers who all had been defrauded by rascals like Knobby.

Nevertheless, when the trial began, Judge Phinizy, asked Sam Houston if he had any witnesses. "Only one, your Honor," Houston replied.

Limping to the witness box, his right leg dragging from a serious wound sustained in the battle, Houston walked over to the defendant, and looked down on him as a loving father might look on a wayward son, despite the fact that Knobby Horsham was a known rogue who had wasted his life.

As the courtroom sat in silent expectation, President Houston uttered only two sentences. "Knobby, you’ve heard the serious charges made against you. Where were you on the afternoon of April 21, 1836?"

Knobby Horsham looked up like a little child and whispered, "With you in the front-line at San Jacinto." "The defense rests," Houston said, taking his seat. "Case dismissed," Judge Phinizy cried.

My brother, my sister, O believing sinners, we were there at Calvary with Christ when the horrible wrath of God fell on him. "There is therefore now, no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…”. Case dismissed!

Don Fortner