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Tuesday, March
18, 2008
No Condemnation Zone
Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no
condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (KJV)
Not only are those that are in Christ no
longer under condemnation of sin and death, but they are not passing their
own judgments on others and pointing fingers at what they perceive to be
everyone else’s shortcomings. Remember, we are saved by grace through faith
and salvation is certainly not something you have or ever will achieve by
works so it eliminates any boasting on our part. Yet with this in mind,
religious organizations and so called churches at times are no different
than the world when it comes to backbiting and slandering; like a big
henhouse full of loud boisterous cackling. Not only have you been set free
and delivered from the bondage of sin and death, so have others despite how
you may view their walk or how you think they should be operating. Not only
have many Christians decided to take on the role of judge, but they also
have taken on the role of jury, and sad to say many times with their
tongues executioners. Remember how you were delivered? Was it by self
righteous overbearing examples of those that claim to know God or was it by
the mercy and love of God that drew you to Him?
John 8:2-6 And early in the morning he
came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat
down, and taught them. (3) And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a
woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, (4) They
say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
(5) Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what
sayest thou? (6) This they said, tempting him, that they might have to
accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the
ground, as though he heard them not. (KJV)
Doesn’t this give us a good illustration
of what we see going on in many religious groups today? Rather than get
together to teach the word of God they are more concerned with what others
are doing and letting someone’s shortcomings and faults be broadcast amongst
the whole congregation. So when these accusations are brought forth how do
you handle these petty strife’s and the talebearer’s that are more
concerned with hearing gossip than truth? Will you follow the example our
Lord set; rather than continue to engage in this nonsense He chose to
ignore it as though he heard them not and hear His Father’s response. While
our fleshy nature is more apt to want to hear the juicy details, the Spirit
is saying enough, this is not an area God is operating in.
John 8:7-11 So when they continued asking
him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among
you, let him first cast a stone at her. (8) And again he stooped down, and
wrote on the ground. (9) And they which heard it, being convicted by their
own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the
last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. (10)
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto
her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
(11) She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn
thee: go, and sin no more. (KJV)
How are you handling these situations you
encounter on a daily basis, whether it is at work or wherever you
fellowship at; are you going to listen to gossip and half truths or are you
more interested in listening to and dealing with truth? Are you passing
judgment on others before you hear God’s answer, like the above example
ready to rock someone’s world based on second hand information. Not only is
the Lord no longer condemning you, but He is asking us not to pass judgment
on others so quickly and to be much quicker to hear, and slower to speak as
well as to wrath.
Proverbs 18:12-13 Before destruction the
heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. (13) He that
answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
(KJV)
When confronted with gossip and
accusations of the brethren how are you handling it today? Are you ready,
shoot, then aim or are you going to not get caught up in slandering and
backbiting, things that tear down rather than build up? If you are not able
to say something to someone’s face first then what makes you think you have
the right to speak it out to everyone else’s. Stay out of the mud people,
once you have been washed with the pure living waters don’t go running back
to a pigpen of gossip and slandering.
Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a
transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very
friends. (KJV)
Just because someone comes running up to
you with an account of someone’s faults or shortcomings, or did you hear
about so and so and their adulterous affair, doesn’t mean you need to keep
the chain of communication going; rather wouldn’t this be a good place to
put it to rest just as our Lord did? Yes it may be enticing to the flesh to
get the details, but if one is operating and seeking a loving way to handle
it then it will cease and desist with them.
Proverbs 29:9-11 If a wise man contendeth
with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. (10) The
bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. (11) A fool
uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. (KJV)
When you engage in contention and strife
there will be no rest in your soul. Have you ever spoken something about
someone when they weren’t around, then when they were around you weren’t as
bold in your accusation? Or maybe you heard something about that person and
rather than conceal the matter you chose to keep it alive and spread the
gossip? A wise man will wait for an appropriate time, then if needed will
deal with the person first and not make a public proclamation.
Proverbs 11:12-13 He that is void of
wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his
peace. (13) A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful
spirit concealeth the matter. (KJV)
When I hear a talebearer always talking
about everyone else the first thing I begin to wonder is what secrets are
they trying to conceal about themselves and why are they so quick to throw
stones at others?
Luke 6:36-37 Be ye therefore merciful, as
your Father also is merciful. (37) Judge not, and ye shall not be judged:
condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be
forgiven: (KJV)
If any man be in Christ he is a new
creation and will continue to operate in the newness of life and not let
the old man resurface with silly accusations and petty strife’s. It’s a no
condemnation zone for those in Christ, not only for you but for others as
well.
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