READ: JOHN 3:15-18; ROMANS 3:21-30; 10:9-13

Last year, I went to traffic court after being cited for an illegal left turn. When the judge asked for my plea, I said, “Guilty with circumstances.”

I told him the sign prohibiting the left turn was obscured by tree limbs: “Your honor, I never saw the sign.” Despite my articulate defense, he dropped the gavel, found me guilty, and fined me $120, a hefty price for my ignorance.

An offense demands a consequence. But Paul announces in Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” That’s good news! But note the qualifier. Paul doesn’t say there is no condemnation for anyone. This isn’t universal salvation. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.

I see two takeaways. First, there is condemnation for those NOT in Christ Jesus. Second, Christ has paid the price for my offense. Remember, an offense demands a consequence. Someone has to pay the price for sin, just like I had to pay the price for breaking a law.

Romans 8:1 announces that, for those in Christ Jesus, the Judge (God) has dropped the gavel. The case is closed. God knew how guilty you were, but because He loves you, He paid the full price for your sin Himself. You will never appear before the Judge again—no charges will ever be brought against you. There is no condemnation today, tomorrow, or ever.

I paid a fine for my illegal left turn last year, but, if I am cited again, I have to pay again. If you’re in Christ, you will never pay the price—it’s been paid for you forever on the cross. That’s the good news: you will never be condemned by the heavenly Judge. • Mike Hurley

• When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, He paid the price for our sin. So now, if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are blameless in God’s sight! How is this justice similar to courtroom justice? How is it different?

• If you want to know more about what it means to be in Christ, see our "Know Jesus" page.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (CSB)

READ: DEUTERONOMY 31:6; ROMANS 8:28-39; COLOSSIANS 3:12-16

When I was thirteen, my parents divorced. My dad remarried and moved out of state. My mom had to work two jobs to provide for us, so our time together was special, but limited. Eventually, we had to move so Mom could find a better job. Whenever I tried to give my opinions about moving, she cast them aside. And, over the years, we kept moving.

At each new school I attended, I struggled throughout the day. I felt invisible when the other kids passed me on their way to class. Most days, I felt alone. My heart hungered for friendship.

Each time we moved, Mom and I would search for a new church. I always felt special and loved in God’s house.

In my junior year, the musical theater department at my newest school scheduled auditions. I tried out, and the music instructor gave me one of the solo parts. A few classmates made comments saying they didn’t understand how I, the new kid, got a solo. Then, on opening night, I found the sleeves of my costume ripped off and my shoes missing. A few students smirked as I ran to the bathroom to sort out my feelings.

I remembered that Jesus felt abandoned at times—not only by His friends but by His Father too. Jesus cried out on the cross, “Why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).

As I struggled in my pain, I talked with God about it. I saw that Jesus knew how I felt. God empathizes with me, and He loves me. His incredible promise—to work all things for the good of those who love Him—helped me to sing my solo that night. No matter what happens, Jesus will never cast me aside. • Linda Ray Center

• Can you think of a time you felt cast aside, alone, or invisible? What was that like?

• If we know Jesus, we can rest in God’s promise to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). God loves us so much that Jesus was willing to die on the cross to save us. Because He died and rose again, we can look forward to the day our suffering will be over forever (Revelation 21:1-5). Until then, we can always go to God in our pain and receive His comfort (1 Peter 5:7). Consider taking some time to talk to God about any hurts you’ve experienced lately.

• If you’re going through a tough time, and especially if you’re being bullied, who is a trusted adult you can talk to about it—such as a parent, pastor, or teacher?

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (WEB)

READ: ISAIAH 12:2; MATTHEW 6:25-34; MARK 13:26-37

Do you have, in your area of the world, a tradition where people gather every year in a certain city and pull a type of rodent out of his home in order to predict the weather? Yes, it does sound funny! And if you live in the USA, you might recognize this day as Groundhog Day. Grown men in fancy suits gather around “Punxsutawney Phil” every February 2nd. They take the groundhog out of his hole, put him on top of a red-carpet-lined tree stump, and note whether Phil can spot his shadow. This “foretells” whether or not we will enjoy an early spring or expect winter for six more weeks. Then, they put him back.

Groundhog Day is a funny tradition. Most people don’t believe it can actually predict the weather, but this holiday reminds us that people have always wanted to know the future.

And yet God tells us throughout the Bible to trust Him for our future, even for important things, like when Christ will one day return. You might find a lot of people wondering about the state of the world, and whether or not Christ will return soon. Some start speculating about current events and think maybe they know the date.

And yet, not even Jesus knew when He would return. As God the Son, He was leaving that to God the Father. I think we can leave it to the Father too. We don’t actually need to know anything more than what God has already said to us in the Bible. He has given us everything we need to get to know Jesus, to follow Him, and to live in the power of His Holy Spirit.

Sure, it might seem fun to know exactly what’s ahead, but if God thought that was a good idea, then He would tell us. And since He hasn’t, we can focus on growing in Him and doing the good things He created us to do as we wait expectantly for Jesus’s return. • Kristen Merrill

• Why do you think there are some things God doesn’t let us know in advance?

• God calls us to trust Him with our future. And this isn’t a blind trust—we can have confidence that He loves us and that He will keep His promises, because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave for us. As Christians, we can look forward to Jesus’s return joyfully! What questions do you have about Jesus’s return? Who are trusted Christians you could ask?

• If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 24:1-51; 25:31-46; Acts 1:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11; James 4:13-16; Revelation 21:1-5; 22:20

[Jesus said,] “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mark 13:32 (NIV)