No Condemnation!

Maybe we should stop focusing our attention on the the things we are doing that we shouldn't be and start concentrating on those things that we aren't doing that we should be. "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 1 John 3:20-21 KJV". Of course the antithesis to this is that if our hearts do condemn us then we have no confidence in God. I realize that this is a strong statement but the truth is that condemnation is a sentence of guiltiness no matter if it is from satan, ourselves, others or God. There is a wonderful truth in God's word that states "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom. 8:1 KJV."

I have heard this verse so often quoted only partially so stating that "there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus"....but the latter half of this verse is the second qualifier..."who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit (Maybe we should stop focusing our attention on the the things we are doing that we shouldn't be and start concentrating on those things that we aren't doing that we should be). Please don't misunderstand me. I am not saying we should ignore the wrong we are doing and continue in it. "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Rom. 6:16 KJV."

The keys to moving forward are simple:

1. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Pet. 3:9 KJV." Repentance- to turn from sin to God (which as followers of Jesus is our lifestyle. We should not be characterized by sin but by repentance.)

2. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 KJV." Confession- it means to agree with the testimony of another and whose testimony are we agreeing with? It would be that of the written Word of God and the Holy Spirit.

Agreeing with God regarding what is called sin in my life keeps me in fellowship with Him. Confession draws things into the light. "He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. Dan 2:22" also "But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Eph. 5:13" and also "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 KJV." Remember the Bible states, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Amos 3:3 KJV."

So let us repent of and confess our sin. Get up, brush of our knees. Accept with faith and gladness His forgiveness and get back into enjoying life to its abundance. "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 KJV."

Two last points: 1) here is a biblical principle to cause change to occur, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING of your MIND, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom 12:2 KJV."

1. Remember until your dead God is not done with you. You will always be a work in progress. Jesus was perfect and it took 30 years for Him to become ready to be our sacrifice. Relax God is at work in you. A teacher once told me " It is better to act yourself into a better way of feeling then to feel yourself into a better way of acting." Basically just keep moving forward with doing His will no matter how your emotions may be contrary to it. In the end after renewing your mind with His word you will be transformed.

Try reading this post as something to encourage you and resist reading as an editor. Blessings!