No Condemnation

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24

The words condemned and convicted get thrown around a lot. In prayers, small group discussions, sermons, etc. Although there are huge differences between the two, they seem to be interchangeable sometimes. When we get convicted, it seems as if God has just struck our hearts with the realization of the sin in our lives. In this case, we are convicted to be condemned. When Christians are convicted, it will most likely lead them to a feeling of condemnation.

Because we are Christian, these words are definitely not interchangeable. Conviction deals with what you do or are doing to bring yourself closer to God. Condemnation is who you are; are you with or without Christ in your life? Did you accept the blood of Christ on the Cross and know deep down in your heart that it was He who saved you from death?

So. What you do and who you are.

As Christians, there is a clear distinction between the two. As Christians, because we believe and have given up our hearts to our Savior, there is no condemnation. Our sin have been already washed away the day we accept Christ as our Savior. Conviction will ultimately lead us to repentance and bring us back to Him. Condemnation is the feeling that we cannot come to God due to our sins and failures, a very clever tactic of the devil.

But understand that if you confess with your heart that Jesus is Lord, and believe that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved past, present, and future.

Amen!