Brian Doerksen - No Condemnation Lyrics
Lyrics
You forgive then forget
You take our sins and cast them farther
than the east is from the west
Our shameful past lost to you
Our future found in your compassion
as we live out the truth
Now there's no condemnation no condemnation
For all of us all who belong to Jesus
Now there's no condemnation no condemnation
This freedom found only in Jesus
Verse 2
Accusers leave stones of hate
as mercy triumphs over judgment
For that woman who remained
as love reclaims then restores
You mend our broken hearts and make our lives
Stronger than before
This is why the law gives way to grace
This is why the redeemed will celebrate
This is why we desire to sin no more
Video
No Condemnation (Live)
Meaning & Inspiration
Brian Doerksen’s powerful declaration, "No Condemnation (Live)," released on February 20, 2025, offers a profound reflection on the cornerstone of Christian faith, inviting all who embrace it into a deep understanding of divine grace. The song's essence is rooted in the transformative power of God’s forgiveness and the radical freedom found exclusively in Jesus Christ. It meticulously unpacks the liberating truth that our past transgressions, once a source of shame, are utterly removed by God's loving act. Doerksen articulates this with the imagery of sins being cast "farther than the east is from the west," an echo of Psalm 103:12, which assures us that God has removed our transgressions just as far. This isn't merely a covering of sin, but a complete obliteration from God's memory, allowing our "shameful past" to be truly "lost" and our "future found in your compassion," mirroring the new identity found in Christ as described in 2 Corinthians 5:17.
The chorus then resounds with the pivotal message: "Now there's no condemnation no condemnation / For all of us all who belong to Jesus." This is the theological heartbeat of the song, a direct affirmation of Romans 8:1, which declares, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." It's a foundational truth, establishing a legal and spiritual reality for believers—a freedom from the guilt and penalty of sin. This isn't a freedom earned through effort, but a gift, found "only in Jesus," emphasizing the exclusive nature of this divine provision through grace. The song thus becomes an anthem for the redeemed, celebrating a standing before God unburdened by past failures or present imperfections, secure in His unwavering love.
Expanding on this theme, the second verse vividly portrays the triumph of mercy over judgment, drawing on the poignant narrative of the woman caught in adultery from John 8:1-11. The lyrics, "Accusers leave stones of hate / as mercy triumphs over judgment / For that woman who remained," immediately bring to mind Jesus’ radical compassion as he disarmed her accusers and offered her a new beginning. This biblical illustration powerfully demonstrates that God’s love is not just theoretical but actively intervenes, reclaims, and restores. The song affirms that God "mend[s] our broken hearts and make[s] our lives / Stronger than before," echoing verses like Psalm 147:3, which speaks of Him healing the brokenhearted and binding up their wounds. This restoration is not just a return to a previous state but an empowering transformation, creating lives more resilient and purposeful than they were before the experience of brokenness.
The song culminates in a powerful declaration of consequence and celebration: "This is why the law gives way to grace / This is why the redeemed will celebrate / This is why we desire to sin no more." These lines articulate the beautiful implications of God’s redemptive work. The transition from being under the law's demands to living under grace is a central theme of the New Covenant, as explained in Romans 6:14, where Paul states that we are not under law but under grace. This profound liberation sparks an uncontainable joy and celebration among the redeemed. Furthermore, it ignites a genuine desire to walk in holiness, not out of obligation or fear, but as a natural outpouring of gratitude for such immense grace. This desire to "sin no more" is a Spirit-led transformation, a fruit of a heart truly changed by God's unconditional love and forgiveness, rather than a prerequisite for receiving it. "No Condemnation" serves as a timeless reminder of the unshakeable freedom and new life available to all who embrace the saving grace of Jesus Christ, inspiring worship and solidifying faith with every listen.