Freedom from Condemnation

The next aspect of the Unconditional Good News to examine is that of the freedom from condemnation.  When one is without love, behavior and the person performing the behavior are judged.  Judgement typically brings with it punishment, as in a decrepit building deemed uninhabitable and then slated to be demolished or a criminal convicted of a crime and then sentenced to a prison term.

Romans 8:1 (ESV) says,

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Seeking to better grasp what the phrase no condemnation looks like we need to look at what Christ Himself said: 

Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV)“Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.  Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. 

Why shouldn't we judge?  Because then we ourselves are subject to the same judgement we have meted out!  We are in need of the atoning covering of Christ, so that when our Heavenly Father looks upon us He sees the blood of His precious Son rather than our sinful souls.

So why is it that we so easily fall into the pattern of judging others?  Could it be that we resort back to our system of rules? That looking at our fellowman we see the places where they don’t measure up to our self-imposed check lists? That we require of them that need to perform at our level of standard rather than trusting that the Creator of the universe can handle their behavior?

Unfortunately, this is far too often the case in my heart! I need the reminder to, “take the log out” of my own eye.  I need to let the Holy Spirit convict and change others while I humbly fall on my face recognizing what it means to have been spared condemnation.  I deserve the judgement and the death penalty! I can too easily take for granted that dreadful sacrifice that was made on my behalf.

Father, let my life reflect a heart of gratitude for you Son’s willingness to take on all my guilt! My verdict is guilty but my sentence was transferred to Jesus! Thanks be to you, O Lord and your Sweet Son! Holy Spirit continue to remind me of all that has been done for me that I may yield my heart to Your direction and please, keep my judging bent at bay.  For Your Glory !