Command Condemnation to Go! 
Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at 04:01PM
J. Mark Jordan

“Just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.” Romans 5:8-11. 

When you were saved, you were released from guilt feelings.  Occasional bouts with the old life sometimes made you wonder if you had really changed. During these struggles, you momentarily gave in to the former desires and committed sin.  Immediately, you were overwhelmed with remorse, and a feeling of condemnation began to haunt you. At first you blamed this on immaturity in your Christian walk.  Eventually, you believed that the problem was much more basic.  Chronic condemnation set in, a feeling that you were totally unworthy, a lost cause, a hopeless case, a discredit to God, church and self.  Self-condemned, you withdrew from active participation in the church, became uncommunicative and distant and lost your testimony.  The less you openly professed, the less guilt you seemed to feel. 

Condemnation results from guilt and rejection, as though you were under sentence.  For the believer, however, there is no bona fide condemnation.  “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17. The Apostle Paul emphasized this truth in his writings to the Romans.  There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1. 

There is, however, a feeling of condemnation that wields enormous power to influence behavior.  It can cause: deep depression from constantly blaming oneself; chronic fatigue, psychosomatic illness; self-degradation; paranoia (the sense of being criticized, spied on; tendency to constantly complain or criticize others; casting oneself into greater sin with abandonment.  This feeling can be self-induced, or it can result from a demonic attack. Just remember that it is not a legitimate feeling.  But what about a person who commits sin after he or she is saved?  Does this constitute condemnation before God?

The answer is that God looks at saints and sinners as the government looks at aliens and citizens. (Ephesians 2:11-17).  Aliens may be deported if they commit a crime.  They have no access to the protection of our laws.  Citizens, on the other hand, must pay for their crimes, but they have access to a legal system through which they can get justice.  Believers have access to God’s forgiveness.  “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:7-9. 

Believers must understand that forgiveness of sins and the reconciliation of man to God lies at the core of redemption’s story.  It is Christ who bears the punishment for the penitent’s sins.  He will not refuse, avoid, recoil at or limit your sins, or block your access to his atoning grace. There is absolutely no reason on God’s part why you can’t be forgiven! 

Be confident, therefore, of your salvation.  Claiming salvation equals denying condemnation.  When a jury returns a verdict on a defendant, the person is either innocent or guilty.  He cannot be both.  “And such were some of you: but you are washed, you are sanctified, you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Cor. 6:11.   

Article originally appeared on ThoughtShades (http://www.jmarkjordan.com/).
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