Sleep eluded me, my mind a whirl of thoughts of regret and
guilt. I lay there wondering, “Why did I say that, act in that way?” You probably
know that middle of the night awareness of failure, too. The guilt can serve a good purpose in me,
bringing me to change, causing me to open my heart to God and, as necessary, to
go and make things right. There is a toxic response to the Spirit’s conviction that
calls us to repentance; a lie which we must not allow to find a settled place
in our minds. It’s called – condemnation!
That is when we begin to believe that deception that insists we are too bad,
too far gone, beyond the love and mercy of God.
Paul, after writing at length about how God sets us right with
Himself through Christ Jesus, breaks out with a great declaration. Take note of the transitory word, “therefore.” The conclusion that we are about to read does
not flow from human effort, from firm resolve, or from stellar religiosity! The
freedom we can experience is provided
solely by faith through Jesus. Look
at it. "Therefore, there is now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus
the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."
(Romans 8:1-2, NIV) No condemnation!
Condemnation is a translation of a compound NT Greek word that
literally means to ‘judge down.’ It
was used of a court’s determination of guilt and subsequent sentence under law.
The judge determined guilt, the matter settled. The offender then lived with that
conviction, paid the penalty, carrying the stigma of that condemnation. To this day, to be convicted of a felony (a
crime more serious than a misdemeanor) is an awful thing with consequences
extending the rest of life. That criminal conviction becomes a part of personal
history, known to banks, employers, courts, and anyone who does a background check.
Many jobs are closed to convicted felons, even long after they have served
their time. Depending on the state in which they reside many rights are lost to
felons.
Under God’s Law, we are judged, convicted sin, one verse
reminding us that we are ‘by nature objects
of wrath.’ It is a desperate situation.
There is condemnation, a fearful expectation of eternal separation from God and
good. If you don’t like that statement, your issue is not with me but with the
Lord Himself. There is a brilliant phrase that shines into that dark place of
hopelessness. "But God, who is rich in
mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead
in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been
saved), and raised us up together,
and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
(Ephesians 2:4-6, NKJV)
A convicted felon may be freed from the life-long stigma of
his crime with a pardon. Certain of
our elected executives are invested with the power, by law, to grant a pardon,
erasing the conviction. There is no more condemnation! That is what our Father
in Heaven did for us in Christ Jesus. The sin that condemned us, the judgment
that destined us for destruction, the guilt that dogged us in the night – these
are no longer necessary because we are,
through Him, justified and therefore no longer condemned!
When guilt that calls for repentance morphs into
condemnation that insists you are beyond the mercy of God, refuse it standing
on the truth. No more guilty condemnation for you, for me. Why? We are
pardoned, our conviction under the Law erased by Jesus.
Here is a word from the Word. Read it prayerfully, asking that the Spirit
will settle it into your mind and heart.
"Yes, Adam’s one sin brought condemnation
upon everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness makes all people right in
God’s sight and gives them life. Because one person disobeyed God, many people
became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many people will be
made right in God’s sight. God’s law was given so that all people could see how
sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful kindness became more abundant. So just as sin ruled
over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful kindness rules
instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:18-21, NLT)
Now, because of Him, no condemnation.
Now, because of Him, no condemnation.
_______
(the grand hymn of justification)
And can it be that I
should gain
An interest in the
Savior's blood
Died He for me who
caused His pain
For me who Him to
death pursued
Amazing love how can
it be
That Thou my God
shouldst die for me
Amazing love how can
it be
That Thou my God
shouldst die for me
He left His Father's
throne above
So free so infinite
His grace
Emptied Himself of all
but love
And bled for Adam's
helpless race
'Tis mercy all immense
and free
For O my God it found
out me
'Tis mercy all immense
and free
For O my God it found
out me
Long my imprisoned
spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and
nature's night
Thine eye diffused a
quickening ray
I woke the dungeon
flamed with light
My chains fell off my
heart was free
I rose went forth and
followed Thee
Amazing love how can
it be
That Thou my God
shouldst die for me
No condemnation now I
dread
Jesus and all in Him
is mine
Alive in Him my living
Head
And clothed in
righteousness divine
Bold I approach
th'eternal throne
And claim the crown
through Christ my own
Amazing love how can
it be
That Thou my God
shouldst die for me
Amazing love how can
it be
That Thou my God
shouldst die for me
Charles Wesley
© Words: Public Domain
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