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We make no apology for this lengthy quotation from the witness of that doughty
warrior, Dr. Bullinger, and only wish that there were more today to testify to the reality
of the two natures in the child of God.
When we come to chapter 8: it is like coming out of a dark tunnel into the sunlight
for we pass from the slavery of sin into the glorious liberty of the children of God. We
should remember that Rom. 8: 1 really follows the teaching of Rom. 5: 16-18 with its
statement as to how condemnation came, namely through the sin of one man, Adam,
condemnation came upon all men. In Rom. 8: 1 we have the great reversal through
the redemptive work of Christ:
"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (N.I.V.).
The reader will note that the concluding words of the verse "who walk not after the
flesh, but after the spirit" are omitted for they do not occur in the principal Greek texts,
but are evidently an interpolation from verse 4 which is their rightful place. Those who
insist on their retention fail to realize that they are making freedom from condemnation a
result of the believers' walk and not the all-sufficient work of Christ and this completely
nullifies the basic teaching of this great epistle. Being free from condemnation does not
depend on the works or walk of the believer. It is entirely conditional upon the work of
the Son of God. It is justification that is set over against condemnation in Rom. 5: 16-18
and 8: 1-14, not sanctification. We must keep truth in its Scriptural place, otherwise
we shall not be "unashamed workmen" (II Tim. 2: 15).
The glorious teaching of the previous chapters is that a person who is declared to be
righteous or just by God is one who is innocent of wrong doing. God's verdict is `not
guilty' and as such he cannot come under condemnation. This has been made absolutely
clear in chapter 3: where it is asserted that God's righteousness comes upon all who
believe by faith of Jesus Christ and not through any works of merit of the believer. Thus
it is through abounding grace on God's part. Grace and works never blend together as
Rom. 11: 6 testifies. It is only in this way that He can be just and at the same time be the
Justifier of him who believes in Jesus (Rom. 3: 26). He is then the God Who justifies
the ungodly.
The Lord in His earthly ministry dealt with the question of condemnation. He said:
"He that believeth is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already,
because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3: 18).
Of course there are those who say that this teaching is dangerous and will result in
laxness of walk. In fact much of Paul's teaching was considered dangerous in his day
and has been many times since, but there is no need for us to put out the hand to stay the
ark of God. The all wise God and Father knows how to deal with His children in
discipline if they walk after the flesh, but He will never deny Himself or His truth in
doing this.