There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

(Romans 8:1-8 ESV)

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

This doesn’t say or imply that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ and are perfect. The definition of no is… no!

For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do.

The law (the 10 commandments) can’t make us righteous because the flesh is too weak to carry them out.

By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Walking in the flesh doesn’t simply mean breaking the law, but walking in the flesh also means trying to obtain your righteousness by fulfilling the law. Jesus fulfilled the requirement of righteousness for us. So, being in the Spirit (in Christ) we are seen as righteous.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh…

Trying to obtain or maintain your righteous standing with God through doing everything right (fulfilling the law).

…but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Reminding yourself that you are in Christ and He is your right standing with God.

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Trying to live out the law in perfection will leave you disappointed. Living with the assurance that you are righteous in Christ allows you to live worry-free, knowing that doing the right thing finds you blessed, but doing the wrong thing doesn’t leave you condemned.

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Even if you fulfill the law, it won’t please God. God finds pleasure in His Son… so you have to be in Christ to have God’s favor. When you try to fulfill the law, you find out (quickly) that you can’t… and this makes you think, “What’s the point? Obviously God want’s me to fail.” This produces hostility, anger, resentment towards God… which drives you away… even though God always wants you no matter what you’ve done. (Luke 15)

Don’t get discouraged in the doing for God. Be encouraged in the being with God.

You are loved and accepted!