Romans says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The verdict changes because God has done what the law could not do: he condemned sin through Christ and gives life by the Spirit.
Romans 8 follows Paul's discussion of sin, law, and weakness. The chapter opens with assurance, not because sin is imaginary, but because God has acted decisively in Christ.
This gives believers confidence before God. Assurance rests on being in Christ, not on pretending the struggle with sin never existed.
A careful reading keeps Romans 8:1 from Romans 8:2-4. The no-condemnation promise is tied to Christ's work and the Spirit's life-giving power.
Original wording based on Romans 8:1-4.
1There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don`t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
3For what the law couldn`t do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh;