a condemned building
"There is no condemnation now for those who are in Christ Jesus." —Romans 8:1
We often feel condemned or about to be condemned. We feel as if people are judging us, because they are. We are afraid of not being accepted and even rejected. We know that people's love for us is conditional, and sooner or later we won't meet their conditions. We always have the haunting fear we will be condemned not only in this life but for all eternity.
The good news is: "There is no condemnation now for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rm 8:1). Even if a mother should forsake her child, our heavenly Father will never forsake us (Is 49:15). Jesus will never reject anyone who comes to Him (Jn 6:37). As He did for the adulteress, Jesus will disperse the crowd condemning us. He will ask: "Where did they all disappear to? Has no one condemned you?" (Jn 8:10) He will say: "Nor do I condemn you" (Jn 8:11). "I will never desert you, nor will I forsake you" (Heb 13:5).
Jesus is the one Person Whose love is unchangeably unconditional. Only in Him can we have absolute security. "God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him" (Jn 3:17).
Prayer: Jesus, people are picking up stones to throw at me. Protect me by surrounding me with Your love.
Promise: "Sir, leave it another year, while I hoe around it and manure it; then perhaps it will bear fruit." —Lk 13:8-9
Praise: Sonia, who lived in fear and timidity, was enslaved by the thoughts and expectations of others. She found freedom in the non-condemnation of Jesus.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Certainty on audio AV 59-3 or video V-59.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 21, 2005
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