There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1
The province of Saskatchewan is creating a law that will require students under the age of 16 to have their parents’ permission if they want to change their preferred names or pronouns at school. The law is controversial because so-called rights groups claim it could be harmful to some children such as those opting to be or claiming to be transgender. Those opponents say the new law, and a similar one in New Brunswick, violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and they are preparing to challenge them. If the Saskatchewan law is approved in that province, it is almost certain to be challenged to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Supreme Court will have to decide which law to apply. Usually, the Charter takes precedence over any other laws. But the Charter has a ‘notwithstanding’ clause that sometimes allows exceptions in particular cases. Saskatchewan has announced it will invoke the notwithstanding clause, and New Brunswick is considering it. As we wait to see whether the ‘notwithstanding’ clause applies in the case of Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, let us rejoice that the law of God has no ‘notwithstanding’ clause.
The law of God concludes, as our text declares, that there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. That statement contains no ‘notwithstanding’ nor any other possibility of an exception. It does not provide, as some would suggest, for us to lose our salvation for bad behaviour or lack of faith. It does not provide for any intrusion by anyone who is not saved. It does not allow even any argument on these critical issues, because ‘no condemnation’ means exactly that and nothing less. It means ‘no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus’ and nothing more. No amount of works, religion, or anything else can be mingled into the qualification to be exempt from condemnation. What could we possibly need or want to add to the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross? God is totally satisfied with that work, with that precious blood, with that atoning sacrifice, and so are we.
The law of double jeopardy protects Canadians who have been acquitted of a crime from ever being charged again with that same crime. That is very much like God’s declaration of ‘no condemnation’. Although we were guilty sinners, God has declared us righteous, clearing away all charges because they have already been judged at Calvary. God cannot bring back those charges against us, because He has declared that there is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. And that is why we rest in the comfort of eternal security.
The overriding legal system in all the universe has no outstanding charges against us. Hallelujah! -Jim MacIntosh