For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17
Condemnation is something that runs very high in this world. It occurs regardless of whether a person is a believer or not. People blame others for what happens and condemns their actions.
People are quick to look at the Old Testament laws and how some required death. Then they apply that to the entire Bible and are quick to condemn other people. Or non-believers will believe that all the Bible does is condemn them.
Believers will often read the bible and grab onto teachings against sin, then they will point out those sins in the lives of others. When they see those sins, they are fast to condemn a person as a non-believer and going to hell. They focus on speaking against the sin, rather than pointing out God’s willingness to forgive and showing His great love.
While it is true that a person who does not believe in or follow Jesus is on a path to hell, Jesus never went around condemning people to hell. His entire purpose of His life and ministry was to save people. He wanted to point out what God has done for them. The only people Jesus was harsh with, were the people who claimed to be believers in God, yet did not follow Him and even fought against Him.
If a believer just points out sin and that a person is going to hell, but never points to Jesus and His love, there will be little expectation that the non-believer will ever change. There is no love to draw him to Jesus.
The only time Jesus is going to do condemnation is when He returns to wipe out all sin for all time. At that point people who do not follow Him will be condemned for all eternity. Until then, His focus is to seek and save the lost. God wants every person to be saved.
When you are speaking to others, you need to be like Jesus. Put away all condemnation. Point out God’s great love and mercy. Present Jesus to the people so that they can be saved.
Allow God to choose when and how a person is condemned. You do the work of bringing people to Jesus to be saved.
How many can be saved through your testimony of love?
I pray today that you will know God’s love for the lost; that you will not speak condemnation on anyone; that you will present God’s love and mercy to this world; and that many will know Jesus through your words and actions.
Sure, we are to preach salvation. Preach Christ not condemnation. Why condemn when we were once in darkness and later came into His marvellous light.
Your post is well articulated. Thanks for posting.
Thank you. A great point on us once being there. Have a blessed day!