Lifetime Daily DevotionsSample

Condemnation 

 Condemned: to disagree of strongly,

 to declare guilty, to inflict a penalty upon, to doom

Webster

 

Condemned. That's a scary word, isn't it? Can you imagine what a person's emotions would do should he be condemned? Let's try. Think with me. . ..

The man stood quietly, appearing very calm to the people watching, but he wasn't calm inside at all. His knees were shaking, his heart was pounding, his whole body was tense, every muscle, every nerve as he waited'waited for what? The decision. The decision from the jury. As the men and women filed back into the jury box he refused to turn his head and look at them. He would know by their eyes. Then the spokesman stood and said: "We, the jury, have unanimously reached the decision that this man is guilty as charged." Utter silence surrounded him. Not a whisper. Not a cough. Not a breath was heard. The judge looked into the man's eyes and said, "I condemn you to die for the crimes you have committed." His knees buckled and he fell to the floor.

            Condemned to die. Condemned. Guilty. Doomed. Penalized by death.

Try putting yourself in the cell with the Christian who has been condemned to the arena'sitting there waiting his turn to be torn to bits by starving lions. Knowing that the guards would be returning for him soon. Condemned to die by Nero, a mad man who has condemned hundreds of Christians to death. What do you think about? Or can you think? Does fear engulf you? Sadness because of those you're leaving? Fierce, boiling anger at the man who condemned you? But there's nothing you can do. You are going to die. To be condemned to death would be a horrible thing. The waiting would be indescribable. The act itself would be over in seconds.

But there is another time of condemnation facing every person on earth whorefused to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, as the One to whom we owe everything. The person who refuses Christ is condemned to death. But that doesn't mean just physical death. There is a "second" death to be faced. Physical death does not end life for that person who has refused to acknowledge Christ. No. That person is condemned to live eternally separated from God.

            What does separation from God mean? Well, every good and perfect gift comes from God.[1] All beautiful things come from God. So take everything beautiful out of the world. Take every kind of goodness out of the world. Can you even imagine such horror? Good is gone! There is no such thing! Evil reigns in that world where men would be free to kill, maim, rape, and torture. Screams of pain would be heard constantly. Cries for help would pierce the air. Every bad thing is left, but all the good is gone'no love, no joy, no kindness, no goodness of any kind'because He is gone! That world would be filled with fear and dread and terror every moment and there is no respite! That person has been "separated" from Jesus Christ/God.

But how did that person get here? Why has he been sentenced to this world of suffering? That person failed in answering the one question that determines his sentence: What have you done with Jesus? If He was ignored, refused, ridiculed, they are condemned. Eternally condemned. But if that person says, "He is my Savior. He died for me. I have given my life to Him." From that moment on, that man is free. Oh, not free from this fallen world where bad things happen, but free from the fear of eternal condemnation. Just think about those two words: Eternal Condemnation! Eternal!

Forever. No chance for a second trial. No commuted sentences. No pardons.

 Therefore there is now no condemnation

 for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1 (NAS)

 

He will keep you steadfast in the faith to the end,

so that when His day comes you need

fear no condemnation.

I Corinthians 1:8 (Phillips)

 

            So I am sitting here this morning looking out my window and I am at peace. Not that all things are right in my corner of the world. No'my world isn't revolving smoothly, it's spinning, almost out of control and tears insist on coming. However, I know something that frees me to be peaceful regardless of what my emotions are doing and regardless of what's going on in my crazy world. One day this world will cease to be my dwelling. I know that I will die and I will leave this world behind and enter a perfect world where there is no pain, no suffering, no tears, no death, no fear, no loneliness'just peace, perfect peace because Jesus will be there. 

 

            Thank You Lord Jesus for setting me free from the fear of condemnation! It isn't that I'm not going to do anything wrong for the rest of my life. Hardly! But because of Your Word, I know that You will keep me steadfast in the faith to the end and I have no fear of Your wrath or condemnation.

 

 

 

[1] James 1:17