NO CONDEMNATION!

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death”.

Rom 8:1-2 [KJV]

Let’s analyse this topic a little. Condemnation in the above scripture implies a damnatory sentence- a guilty verdict. Condemnation is what our works deserve; it’s the best that we can afford by our own selves.  Jesus states this plainly;

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him 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”.

Jn 3:17-18 [KJV]

 So Jesus didn’t come to the earth to point fingers and declare whose right and who’s wrong, rather He came to keep us safe from judgement, and those that don’t believe this are already condemned. So we see two scenarios;

·         In the flesh

·         In Christ Jesus

In the flesh, irrespective of what I do or don’t do, I am already condemned. In Christ Jesus, I’m free from condemnation independent of my works, I don’t have to be guilty any more because the Bible says;

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us”.

Rom 8:33-34 [KJV]

            Yes, I’m in a safe house, because the only one who is qualified to judge me, (because He, Himself is sinless) is the very one who died for me; instead of judgement, I was justified- just-as-if I never sinned by God, because I have believed in the name of Jesus. Hallelujah! It’s like in the old testament when someone would accidentally kill someone else and the law demanded an eye for an eye, so a bereaved relative could come for revenge, but God provided 6 cities of refuge spread throughout Israel, where the person who killed could run to, and as long He was in any of those cities the avenger of blood was not allowed to take vengeance. (Josh 20:1-6). So we see a 'type' of redemption in the Old Testament.

            Let us consider this: It is not God’s will that any should perish, but by our deeds we can’t meet God’s standard of righteousness, hence we deserve judgement (2Pet 3:9), but justice must be meted out because He is a just God (Job 8:3), so God sent His sinless son to keep us safe from judgement (condemnation), who became sin and condemned sin in His flesh on the cross so we can become the righteousness  of God in Christ Jesus (2Cor 5:19-21) Hallelujah!

            Once again;

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD”.

Isi 54:17 [KJV]

            So you see, it’s our responsibility to refute (condemn), damnatory suggestions of the enemy because our righteousness is of God.

But what happens when I miss it?

“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check”.

Jam 3:2 [NIV]

            It’s good that we understand that we were called unto good works (Eph 2:10); we must be zealous of good works (Tit 2:14), hence when we miss it, our spirit judges (condemns) us, our conscience points out the wrong and blames us, but God knows better;-

“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us.

For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. ”

1Jn 3:18-23 [NIV]

Here the Bible explains that when we believe in the name of Jesus and love one another, that we abide in the truth and this makes our hearts settled in His presence even when our hearts condemn us, and this gives us the confidence by which we ask and receive from God. Thank God, He knows all things and is greater than our hearts, so I don’t have to remain in guilt, I’m confident in His presence because I do His command- I believe in the name of his Son.

Therefore; rather than accepting condemnation;

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Heb 4:16 [KJV]

            Yes that’s what we should do when we miss it- come boldly and obtain mercy. This knowledge will make you free from sin, (not free to sin)!

Salvation for the Unsaved

The Bible makes it clear; those in Christ cannot be condemned, but those outside of Christ Jesus are already condemned; so please make your choice Jesus or the world. If you want a condemnation-free life please pray this simple prayer sincerely.

“Jesus, today I come as I am: for you said He that comes to You, You will in no wise cast out; therefore I believe in my heart that You died, were buried and resurrected for my redemption and justification, and by your finished work, I stand righteous before God, therefore with my mouth, I confess you as my Lord and saviour today the [date/month/year] and I am free from sin, sickness, and Satan and I reign in this life by your grace and have assurance of the life to come in Jesus precious name. Amen.”