Friday, October 30, 2020
Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit's law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:1-2
Free From Condemnation
In the realm of human experience, there are positive emotions – I feel happy, affirmed, contented, hopeful and there are painful emotions - I feel embarrassed, used, neglected, frustrated. Though no one wants to experience painful emotions, they are a natural part of life. No one wants to be embarrassed, used, frustrated, or neglected, but most people realize that, to some extent, painful emotions are inevitable.
But there is one heart-wrenching, spiritually-debilitating emotion that God never wants us to experience, one that we should never accept as just a part of life: condemnation. Condemnation means to judge as unfit, to pronounce sentence, punishment, or judgment. Condemnation says I remember you in a negative way each time I think of you and regardless of who you are now.
In the life of a believer, this sense of worthlessness is not from God. There is no condemnation because Christ took the sentence, punishment, and judgment for our sin.
Condemnation might cause us to think:
• I can't do anything right.
• I'll never be as good as other people.
• I'm a terrible person.
• I'm not important to anyone.
• It's all my fault.
• I'm not worthy of receiving your love.
In contrast, God would say to us
• Your soul is more valuable than everything that is in the world (Luke 9:25).
• I loved and valued you so much that I gave my Son for you (John 3:16).
• I have accepted you, just as you are (Romans 5:8, 15:7).
• You are of great value to me (Matthew 6:25-34).
It’s important to know the difference between condemnation and conviction. True conviction is good for us (healthy thoughts and emotions that lead us to repentance), but thoughts and feelings of condemnation are unhealthy. Relative to the source of condemnation and conviction: Condemnation comes from Satan, others, and our personal conviction comes from the Holy Spirit. Satan, the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10) ministers condemnation not conviction.
Many people suffer under the burden of condemnation; it clings to their soul like barnacles on the side of a ship. It is part of Satan's strategy to "kill, steal, and destroy the abundant life that God has promised us (John 10:10). God desires that we be set free from feelings of condemnation we have encountered in the past, that we not minister condemnation to others, and that we become lovingly involved in helping others be set free.
