Condemned No More!

Church Family: Do you struggle with condemnation? Do you live like your faith is inadequate for God’s full pardon and acceptance? Do you refuse to acknowledge that all of the ungodly stuff in your past is completely forgiven and reconciled with God? Do you want to be released from condemnation?

To fully experience a release from all condemnation, you must fight to understand and rejoice in the inexpressible joy of the gospel. The world says that you can escape condemnation by changing your environment, getting rid of “toxic” friendships followed by positive self-talk, self-esteem, and meditation. That does not work. It will always come up short. The gospel of justification through faith alone by grace alone in Christ alone is the only complete cure for all condemnation (Romans 5:15-21).

Every week, Jesus-loving, Jesus-following Christians continue to struggle with condemnation over something that they have done in the past. Pause, this next two sentences are crucial, so read slowly. No matter what the sin choice was or how long you may have persisted in it, the only way to escape condemnation from that sin is to run to the gospel. Running to the gospel means refusing to leave the gospel until you understand that because of what Jesus has done on the cross there is "therefore now no condemnation for you who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). None! Zero! Gone!

A life in condemnation leads to no hope, no joy, big fear, uncertainty about tomorrow and eternity, legalism, moralism and works righteousness. A life in Christ, justified, brings hope, joy, absolute certainty about tomorrow and eternity, grace, reconciliation and worship. As a follower of Christ who has been justified in Christ, there is absolutely no reason why you should ever again experience fear about your standing with God as completely forgiven and made righteous. You should never fear about your eternal destiny. But if you do, "There is therefore now no condemnation!”

See you Sunday, with no condemnation, Steve