There is Therefore no condemnation
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 (HCSB)
What a statement! Can it be true? More importantly, Do you believe it?
As a pastor, one of the most prevalent discussions I have is about whether or not God will condemn the believer because of sin. Confusion seems to abound in this ‘information age.’
While finishing my doctoral degree, I once was associated with a group which does not place faith in Christ’s finished work, but our personal work. I heard more talk about how you would “lose” your salvation if you are not “doing right” or “working for the Lord” in that place more than any other. There, I heard a deceptive but biblical-sounding phrase, “Bible words for Bible things.” This right-sounding terminology is claimed as if it is a biblical phrase, but it actually stops critical thinking about the things of God. It is controlling language, not life-giving.
The very real concern here is that salvation is not rightly understood or being taught, although God has stated in understandable ways what brings condemnation. Let’s make a clear distinction: God desires we think about our salvation–to work it out with humility–to understand salvation and condemnation through the eyes of Christ. A clear distinction must be made between what condemnation is biblically, not culturally; we cannot let our critical thinking be quenched by inherited beliefs. That might ensure condemnation! Below are 10 common uses of condemnation terminology. Did you know that not all condemnation is the same? Some is internal, some is relational, some condemnation is eternal.
Condemnation–There is more than one type
Human disapproval / criticism ~Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” “Aha!”, you might say. That’s about going to hell! Not really. The previous 10 verses are about how we should treat other people and so is v 37. So, Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Don’t judge people and they won’t judge you. This verse does not lend itself to eternal condemnation.
Self-condemnation of conscience ~John 3:20
In this passage the apostle John masterfully weaves a believer’s eternal life in Christ, the feeling of condemnation and Holy Spirit’s affirmation. He says, “And even if our conscience condemns us, that God is greater than our conscience and He knows all things.” Then, he lists:
If we aren’t feeling condemned, we have more confidence when we go to God
We certainly can receive from him by keeping “his commands” and doing good
Now this is His command: that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ
But also this:
the way we know that He remains in us is from the Spirit He has given us.
So guard against the sense of condemnation before God:
believe in His Son, Jesus Christ; this removes condemnation
Keep his commands and do good, so you won’t feel condemned
Remember, it is His Spirit within you who confirms your salvation, not your obedience/disobedience
Social condemnation through words or conduct~Matthew 12:37; Galatians 2:11
In these passages God is teaching us about social condemnation. In Galatians, The Apostle Paul condemned Peter for being a hypocrite while Jesus taught us not to condemn so we won’t be condemned. Again, eternal condemnation is not in view here. Paul was not condemning The Apostle Peter–the one whom Christ called Rock because of His confession of faith in Christ, long before Paul was a Christian–but calling out Peter’s tendency to keep gentiles and Jews separate. The Lord had dealt with Peter concerning this in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 10. But neither Peter’s salvation nor his eternal condemnation was indicated by anything in the passages–including the passages where Peter was rebuked by Christ, or when he sank after walking on the water, or even when he denied that he knew Jesus Christ–not once, but three times–the night before Christ was tortured and hung on the cross.
So guard against social condemnation obey social mores and laws, but eternal condemnation is not in view here.
Wisdom warning / accountability for destructive conduct~James 5:12
James is not merely condemning manipulative speech because it is socially harmful or psychologically restless. The concern is that the believer’s speech reflects whether life is aligned with Christ. The disciple becomes a visible witness either to the character of Christ or to the instability of the fallen man. “Let your yes be yes and your no be no” is simplicity born from inward conformity to Christ. No performance. This matters because the world is watching. The scattered believers were under pressure, mistreated, frustrated, and tempted toward reactive living. Just be simple.
Guard against the 5:12 condemnation by letting yes be yes and no be no. And to be clear, we are talking about manipulative behavior here, not attempting to encourage by using comforting or assuring words.
Gideon: Fleece. Moses: snake/staff. ELisha: Mantle. Barnabus. Do not fear.
Legal guilt / judicial condemnation
Deuteronomy 25:1 & 2 Cor 3:9. The Gospel is a ministry of righteousness, not condemnation. “For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness overflows with even more glory." Faith in Jesus is a ministry. A ministry of righteousness wherein God engages you with eternal purpose, plans and perpetual growth in righteousness, not condemnation.
Ready for judgment
Matthew 5:21–22
This is another passage used to signify the loss of salvation when Christ is actually teaching everyone is already condemned via unbelief. (John 3:18) It doesn’t matter how offensive we think we are allowed to be, or if we can technically get away with an offense. Example, “I didn’t call him a fool, I called him a moron.” Christ says, just being angry with your brother is enough for hellfire–everybody is guilty before God even if their political system exonerates. So, the passage in view is about all being condemned under the ministry of condemnation. (See 5, above.)
Guard against this type of judgment by believing in Jesus Christ!
Divine discipline / chastening
In 1 Corinthians 11:31–32, Paul teaches the importance of reverence for the shed blood of Jesus. He intimates God judges irreverence in worship and may do so through sickness, but alas, eternal condemnation is not mentioned here.
Epistle to the Hebrews 12:5–11: This passage shows God disciplines us “so that we can share His holiness.” Not to condemn us.
It may not sound nice but if you are His, there is no guarding against this form of chastening, praise God!
National or corporate judgment~ Matthew 12:41–42
The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at Jonah’s proclamation; and look—something greater than Jonah is here! The queen of the south will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and look—something greater than Solomon is here!
We must remember judgment, such as eternal condemnation is personal. Yes, entire peoples have been swept away in God’s righteous judgment, but each individual was so because of personal sin; We are not condemned just because we are black, yellow, red or white but for unbelief. The righteous is not swept away with the wicked. This famous passage could be extended into every unbelieving generation, but each generation has those who are saved through faith in Christ. It could be said, the generation who questioned Jesus, will rise up and condemn modern America because they did not have the The Bible but sought the truth from him. And it is true, but some do seek the truth from the Word of God and believe it.
Present condemned state of unbelief~ John 3:18
Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.
This is serious. This is where the Bible coupled belief and unbelief with one object–Jesus Christ, the One and Only Son of God.
Have you trusted the finished work of the Savior on your part, yet? He wasn’t dying for himself, but for you. Do you think he accomplished it for you? Or, do you think it’s a mixture of the two of you? Trust me. It’s Him. All day long, everyday it’s Him. They call the One and Only Son of God the Savior, not you…Not Him and you. Him. He is the Savior with the Name Above Every Other Name.
How does eternal condemnation occur?
Much more can be said, and we have covered plenty but we can wrap up with a quick look at Mark 16:16 and Romans 5:18.
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Notice this: whoever does not believe will be condemned. See, Jesus died to pay for your sin. Your sinful and sin-filled state, but Christ died for us while we where still sinners. This proves His love for us. Then his perfect actions on our part--in place of us--gives us justification for life!
Romans 5.18 states “...through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone.”
The HCSB footnote reads, “the passage in Greek states justification for life.” If you were to appear before Heaven and where asked, “Why should you enter life?” What would be your justification?
Mine is Jesus Christ.
I’ll tell you why in the next post…
God Bless!
There is a great reason to have hope in Christ today!
Jesus came to "set the captives free," by the Truth.
Do you know Jesus yet?
Pray and ask Him to deliver you! He will.
email: mike@trainandtell.org
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