There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

Peace to all of you who are in Christ. 1 Peter 5:14

These quotes are supposed to be great news. We are constantly living in fear, guilt and shame. Hiding in the shadows the things which we pray will never be brought to light. But the apostle Paul says we don’t have to live this way because there is no condemnation.

But do you, like me, hear the implied if in this statement?

There is no condemnation only if you are in Christ Jesus. The implication is that there is condemnation if you are not in Christ Jesus.

Still think that is good news?

Am I in Christ Jesus? Are you?

How do we know for sure?

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (Paul speaking to the church in Galatia)

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. 1Corintians 12:13 (Paul speaking to the church in Corinth)

Paul was specifically talking to the churches when he said this. He used all-inclusive language, but was he only speaking to the church-goers?

Or did he contradict himself in his second letter to the church in Corinth when he said In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them (2 Corinthians 5:19)?

I suspect the answer is both/and. Or the answer is possibly both now and later. I think the full answer lies in the second half of the 2 Corinthians 5:19 verse and the very next verse as well. I’ll quote it in full.

God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we [the Church] are ambassadors for Christ [to the world], God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:19-20)

So what does it all mean?

I think followers of Christ are already in Christ, but that is not intended to be in-or-out-Theology. We are called to bring the message of reconciliation to the world. Not in order to earn our salvation, but to work with God in the Kingdom work he is already doing.

In other words, we are commissioned to carry on the mission of Abram when God told him “I will bless you… so that you will be a blessing to all nations.” (Genesis 12:2)

The good news is not that there is no condemnation when you follow Jesus (although that is good news). The good news is that God is reconciling the world to him, and through this reconciliation, inviting us to enter into union with the loving triune God.

God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6