You read in the previous post that we have often suffered from self-condemnation. But let's look into what condemnation really is. Condemnation is when a person has done wrong and is to be punished for it. The root word is 'damned'. For those in agreement with the devil (Satan), "the damned," they will receive the SAME punishment he receives when "Judgment Day* comes because they all rebuffed Jesus' offer of reconciliation.
Think about a neglected house you may have seen one day as you were driving around a run-down section of your town. It might have had a "Condemned" sign attached to it. It was determined by the local housing authority that the once brand-new house -- one people were proud to live in -- must be destroyed because it no longer was suitable for which it was created. Each human being is sometimes considered a 'house' by God. Humanity has also been likened to a fig tree, as well. But let's stop focusing on the negative and get going to the learning, shall we?
“There is, therefore, now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. ”
Please re-read that beautiful verse -- "There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus." No condemnation. Hallelujah! There is no religion on the face of planet Earth that truly offers salvation from the pit of Hell, only a relationship with Father God through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; there is no way to the Father but through Jesus. Jesus is explaining that He is THE ONLY WAY. He is not mincing words or being coy. He is emphatically stating an eternal truth; an invincible spiritual fact. You either accept Him or reject Him based on what you believe.
Consider what the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:18-32:
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
An idea of Nebuchadnezzar's golden statue from Daniel 3
It really looks silly to worship a statue, doesn't it? :)
Take another look at verse 19 for a moment ... 'what may be known about God is plain to them, because God (Yahweh) has made it plain to them.' But what about all the atheists and agnostics? How about the Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Masons, and the Mormons? If what may be known is plain to them, then God is right when He judges. If God is aware of each and every single thought and motivation behind what we do, then and only then can He be a righteous judge. Which means what? He is aware of each and every single thought and motivation behind what we do! When God is described as omnipresent, that means He is EVERYWHERE. When God is described as omniscient, that means He is ALL KNOWING. When God is described as omnipotent, that means He is ALL POWERFUL. Only a God who is all three things (Hmm, a trinity) wrapped up in one, unified Godhead, can He truly be the King of kings and the Lord of lords meaning He has the authority, power, wisdom, and ability to mete out judgment based on His standards (aka Laws).
The only people who will avoid judgment for their sins+ are those of us in a relationship with Father God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Why is that? Because of the Blood Covenant. Unsaved people desperately need to know the truth as did we when we were dead in our sins. Those 'COEXIST' stickers reveal a lack of understanding of world religions and their end games. Only the Blood Covenant in Jesus Christ is the way out of the Meal Covenant with Satan. Jesus' sinless blood shed for us frees us from the curse of sin and eternal death found in the Meal Covenant with Satan ... Jesus' shed blood for us is the way out of condemnation. Praise Jesus for His great and awesome sacrifice on our behalf! Remember: Jesus did not merely die for us, but He died as we deserved! Hallelujah! Thank You, Jesus!
Prayer
Lord God, how do I thank You enough for Your mercy and grace? Your mercy and grace has brought me from the place of condemnation and hopelessness and into a place of eternal hope and life! I praise You, Lord God, for being so merciful to me! You deserve all the glory, honor, and praise I can give and so much more. Hallelujah! I wish I could do so much more and I take the opportunity to ask that You would forgive me for my ignorance toward spiritual things and help me live completely surrendered to You. Please continue to guide me into all truth by Your Holy Spirit. I need You. I want You. Sometimes words fail me. Take my heart and form it into Your image. I thank You, Lord, that the Blood of Your Son Jesus cleanses me from all my past sins and I am a new creation in Him. I pray You would show me new and glorious things as You mature me in Your holy love. In Jesus' name I pray, amen!
* "Judgment Day" or "Day of Judgment" is a term used to describe the nature of the time period of reckoning, at the end of the world, when all people who rejected Jesus, demons, and the devil himself must appear before Jesus Himself to give a complete account for their lives before Jesus Christ. This is also termed, "The Great White Throne Judgment".
+ However, Jesus makes it clear we Christians will still be held accountable for the things we say.
Many thanks for the use of the banner sketch skillfully drawn by M.W.!