I accidentally got caught up in a little condemnation this morning. Sneaks right up on us, doesn’t it? We’re processing, thoughts, prayers, people, you name it, and boom. For me anyway, I’m suddenly keenly aware of how I could “do better.” Be better. I prayed that out a bit, and Our Father reminded me that accepting His gift of Grace means receiving the gifts of mercy and forgiveness, with grace. Move on. Anything else leads to further shame and rumination. Anything less is akin to refusing the gift. It doesn’t honor nor acknowledge His great power and strength made perfect in our weakness. It’s like saying, “Your power is big enough for everyone else but me.” Sounds silly, right? It’s because it is.

That’s okay, though. We all forget. Today I’ll remind you what our Jesus said about condemnation. Maybe seeing all the promises in one place will build your confidence in His ultimate confidence in you. <3

Does Our Father judge us?

“In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge.” -John 5:22

Nope.

Does Jesus condemn us?

“Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, Lord,” she answered.  “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more.” -John 8:10-11

Nope. So then who’s doing all the condemning, despite our assured salvation?

“But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses [the law], on whom your hopes are set. -John 5:45

The law. The old law, now replaced with a covenant; the new law of GRACE. SO:

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. -Romans 8:34

Now: we see, in the Book, in writing, that NO ONE has the authority to condemn us….including us.

Sometimes we mess up. Sometimes we feel like we don’t learn lessons fast enough, aren’t strong enough, aren’t enough. That’s this life. But we’re in this life while actively FREE of it. What does this freedom make us want to do? Honor Him. He knows the spirit is willing. He knows (he made it) that our flesh is weak. Thank God for Christ in me. I’m a new creation. So are you.

There is no condemnation. Not from the father. Not from the son. Let’s press on…and ignore any temptation to believe anything otherwise. Look at you, you new creation you.

I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses…So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. -2 Cor: 5,7-10