Out of the Ashes, a New Creation

Romans 8:1 declares with certainty: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Yet, many live as though they are still under a cloud of judgment, weighed down by self-imposed guilt. The problem isn’t that God has withheld freedom from condemnation—it’s that we often stop short of fully abiding in Christ Jesus. Instead, we settle for being in a belief, in a church, in a ministry, but not truly in Him.

E. Stanley Jones recounts a misheard phrase that turned “new creation” into “new cremation.” While humorous, it carries a deep truth: there must be a cremation of the old, false idea that condemnation is the normal Christian state. Too often, we accept the climate of defeat, resigning ourselves to an existence of struggle rather than the abundant life Christ has already provided. But Scripture is clear—our old self has been crucified with Christ (Rom. 6:6), and we have been raised in Him as a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). The ashes of self-condemnation must be left behind.

Imagine a forest devastated by fire. To the untrained eye, it appears lifeless, yet in time, new shoots of green emerge from the ground. The fire that seemed to destroy was merely clearing the way for fresh growth. In the same way, when we allow the old mindset of condemnation to burn away, joy can take root. As 2 Chronicles 29:27 describes, “When the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also.” True joy is the banner that flies high when Christ reigns in our hearts.

For those outside of Christ, the only escape from condemnation is denial—an attempt to erase sin by redefining it. But we don’t need to manipulate reality to find peace. The gospel offers something far greater: actual freedom. There is no condemnation now because we are in Christ now. Let us not stand on the outskirts, wishing for a future day of deliverance. We are already free.

Prayer of Confidence

Father, thank You that in Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation—none at all. You have already exchanged our old life for a new one, making us new creations in Him. We refuse to carry the weight of guilt You have already lifted. Instead, we rejoice in the freedom that is ours, knowing that joy flourishes when Christ reigns in our hearts. May our lives be a song of gratitude, reflecting the truth that we are fully alive in Christ. Amen.

📖 Excerpt from In Christ by E. Stanley Jones
📷 Photo credit: Unsplash