Not Condemned!

ROMANS 8:1-4

THEME: practical righteous living is ours through our Lord Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

How do believers live holy unto the Lord? Is it by trying really hard to observe laws and rules? Could it be that it is through the Spirit of Christ empowering submissive believers to obey God’s will? Trying to obey spiritual laws without the Holy Spirit’s power will only lead to carnal living in bondage to sin, self-sufficiency, and selfishness. It is the equivalent of forsaking the gift of a brand new luxury car insisting upon crawling on your knees to your various destinations! Relying on personal strength and determination will only make us more aware of our need for a way of escape from the constant, wearying struggles of trying to live holy. Beloved, it is through Jesus Christ our Lord and the power of the Spirit that our lives are changed for the better. So, how can we escape and truly practice righteousness in our daily experiences?

Again, the key to holy living is the Holy Spirit. He is highlighted about 19 times throughout this great chapter. Someone has wisely observed that, this is in contrast to the “I,” “Me” and “My” of chapter 7.  When we attempt to live up to God’s high standards of perfection in the energy of our human strength, we become a miserable, struggling, sin dominated, contradiction of paradoxes!  But as the Spirit works in us Believer, we discover positive changes, freedom from sinful practices, power to walk in the truth, and real sanctification.

Now let us look together at how the Christian is enabled to live a holy life. Once more the key is the person of the Holy Spirit; victory over habitual sin does not rest solely in human will power and determination but in the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

LESSON:

WE ARE DELIVERED FROM THE CONDEMNATION OF THE LAW  

Rom 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The characteristics of the carnal Christian are that he is defeated and frustrated by the law of God.  He is keenly aware of what the law demands but finds no ability to perform on that level within the realm of his own strength and ability.  Such a person is still held tightly within the bandage of the flesh and cannot behave in a manner pleasing to God.  The result is a discouraged, defeated, disillusioned, and frustrated existence. They feel condemned!  

THERE IS NOW NO CONDEMNATION

The Law condemns the guilty sinner to death and hell forever!  But not so for the repentant sinner in Christ!

There is therefore now no condemnation! This is the victory cry of the saint who stops trying in their strength and starts trusting in God’s redeeming power.  Paul here claims from the valley of despair and defeat in chapter 7 to the mountain top of triumph in Chapter 8 and proclaims that He is no longer Condemned!

No condemnation means that the believer is not doomed or damned to Hell, but is forever freed from the penalty of sin and has the power to conquer habitual sin.  There is no divine condemnation to all believers!  We have credit for righteousness because of faith in Christ as Savior.  The Law Condemns but the Believer has a new relationship to the Law.

This passage does not teach that we won’t ever sin again, nor that we are incapable of making mistakes. It does not say “no failures” “no mistakes” or “no sins.”  We do fail and make mistakes and we do sin.  And we suffer the consequences of our actions. It is the work of the Spirit of God to enable us to live righteous and put sinful practices out of our lives.

THEM WHICH ARE IN CHRIST JESUS

Rom 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

So, who is not condemned? The key to this blessed deliverance from condemnation is to be “in Christ!” Genuine believers are the focus in this incredible passage because we reside in Christ. Note how Paul uses the term “in Christ” often.

2 Cor 5:17, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Rom 16:7, Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Gal 3:28, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Paul’s favorite phrase “in Christ” denotes a new sphere into which the Believer is brought at conversion. Because we are in Christ we are entirely new creatures, identified with other saved individuals, and share a common bond with believers that transcends and supersedes our nationality, ethnicity, social status, and gender. Beloved, it is one thing to anticipate living in Heaven one day, but right now we live in an excellently extraordinary place called “in Christ”! This is the place we inhabit and here we are free from divine judgment, condemnation by the Law, the threat of Hell and the wrath of God in any shape or form. Our new Position frees us from any threat of condemnation because the crucified and resurrected Christ cannot be judged for sin again! The believer is eternally safe from divine judgment because we are in Christ!

Consider for illustrative purposes NOAH and The ARK. Sometimes it is difficult to understand New Testament truths, and it helps to go to the Old Testament and find an adequate illustration.    When Noah was finished with the Ark a perfect way of escape from divine wrath was provided.  Then the invitation was given, “Come thou and all thy house into the ark” (Gen. 7:1). Now the ark was pitched “within and without witch pitch.”  The word “pitch” is interesting because it is the same word in Hebrew for “atonement.” Therefore, between the waters of Judgment outside and the saved individuals inside the ark was the Wood of the Ark and Pitch.  A Picture of salvation through bloodshed on a wooden cross providing atonement. Once Noah and his family were safely in the Ark, we read that “the LORD shut him in” (Gen. 7:16). Inside is where we find complete security. God did not say to Noah after the ark was completed, “Now Noah, I want you to take eight spikes and drive them into the outside timbers of the ark.  So long as you and your family hang on you will be saved, but if you ever let go you will be lost.”  No!  God shut him in. What it meant for Noah to be “in the Ark,” it means for us to be “in Christ.”  In Him, God has placed us in a sphere where His wrath can never ever ever reach us, and we are as secure as Christ can make us. Beloved, there is absolutely no condemnation for sin.

Condemnation is for those who are "in Adam" according to Romans 5:12-21. Such persons are lost without God and eternally hopeless because they have never embraced the Lord Jesus by faith. Sin dominates, controls, and motivates them just as it once did to us. They still need to acknowledge Jesus is the Son of God sent into the world to provide a means of redemption. These folks have not come to the conclusion there is nothing they can do to rescue themselves from eternal separation from God. They must turn from their unbelief, rejection of God, acknowledge their sinfulness, and trust Jesus Christ, the Savior.

In addition, one cannot be in Christ and in Adam at the same time. To be “in Adam” is to be lost, condemned, without hope, and separated from God. Nor can one go back to being in Adam again, that is losing their salvation. Deliverance from eternal condemnation is salvation, and it is based entirely on the undeserved favor and mercy of God. Such deliverance is NEVER based on our performance, church membership, baptism, other church rituals, or good deeds in the community. Salvation is always all of God's Grace, and God’s salvation keeps the repentant sinner “in Christ” secure from the rains of God’s wrath! We are as free from condemnation as Christ is! Note what John says,

John 5:24, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

“Reach my blest Savior first, Take Him from God’s esteem; Prove Jesus bears one spot of sin, Then tell me I’m unclean.”--W. N. Tomkins

By virtue of this wonderful truth, we can also apply it to our tendency to condemn ourselves.  Paul actually described this in Ch. 7's struggling and frustrating experience.  Yes, we cannot fulfill the law’s requirements in ourselves, but there is no need to live in condemnation and defeat! The Spirit of God will empower us!

WALKING AFTER THE FLESH

Rom 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

So, real believers are not condemned because we are "in Christ" and we do not walk after the flesh.  No, real believers are after the Spirit. 

Well, what is the flesh? The flesh in this text refers to the old sinful nature and not the physical human body. It is human sinful corruption and the associated weaknesses we all were plagued with before we trusted Christ. We were born this way—sinful and motivated to sin more and more. Our tendency was towards sinful living. We had nothing to do with God and were free of any legitimate relationship with Him. There was no strength and power but human fallen inability. The Spirit did not indwell or empower us.

You see, there are two natures that are within every true believer, and they are the Adamic nature and the Godly nature. The Adamic nature is the one each sinner is born with and renders us incapable of doing anything good or right from God’s perspective. This nature does not evaporate when we are saved; it’s power is broken, but it remains a part of our lives. The godly new nature, which is literally the nature of God, is only capable of doing everything right. It can do no wrong at all according to 1 John 3:9. The two natures obviously exist in conflict and contradiction and are totally irreconcilable. In Romans 8:1, Paul is referring to the old fallen Adamic nature and lost condition. While all believers possess two natures, we do not remain in two states! 

To walk after the flesh is the same as saying a person is lost—they reside in the old nature. Understand this is not a reference to a carnal believer struggling with sinful habits and actions. This condition is the same as mentioned in verses 4 and 5, “they that are after the flesh” and in verse 6, “For to be carnally minded is death.” The individual’s entire orientation is that of a lost and condemned person. Being after the flesh and being after the Spirit are mutually exclusive. Then the same thought appears in verse 9, “But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.”  To be in the flesh is obviously the position of the lost person--the unsaved state or condition. To be in the Spirit is the position of a saved individual. Again, the two positions are mutually exclusive. We are in one state or the other, but not both at the same time. This describes the persons who are not in Christ and are not in the Spirit but instead are in the flesh and carnal—lost and without God having not the Spirit. Paul is emphasizing that those "in Christ" are definitely not those who "walk after the flesh."

The point here is real believers have life in the Spirit and are NOT of those who are still condemned because they are still oriented to their fallen carnal unredeemed human nature. Those of us "in Christ" do not walk "after the flesh" because our position and orientation is "after the Spirit." It is either one or the other here, and never both.  We are either in Christ or in Adam, but never both. We are not condemned because of this vital position “in Christ” who satisfied all the Law’s just requirements on our behalf. Thus, Paul describes us as "after the Spirit"--a saved individual; saved persons are not condemned. 

In contrast, to live after the flesh (Rom. 8:12, 13) is referring to a carnal lifestyle of a believer. This individual fails to recognize the value of Christ’s death and resurrection. They have not realized the life and power available to them in the Holy Spirit in daily practical ways. They may even be sincerely trying to live godly in mere human strength alone as Paul was in Romans chapter 7. Such persons do not habitually yield themselves to God to live out His plan for them. Clearly, the believer is called to abandon any carnal living and, we are obligated to live decisively in the power of the Spirit.

WALKING AFTER THE SPIRIT

Rom 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

To walk after the Spirit here just simply means that the person is saved. This is not a reference to our behavior as worldly, carnal, fleshly, or even spiritual. The phrase does not describe godly expression, but an “in Christ” position. Those of us in Christ are walking after the Spirit; this is our true spiritual orientation. We are saved by grace and through faith in the finish work of Christ at Calvary. Paul refers to us as walking after the Spirit. Again, this phrase is not a description of a deeply spiritual lifestyle! To define the phrase this way would actually destroy the gospel of grace and establish a work’s basis for remaining saved! The declaration of “No Condemnation” would make no sense at all if this was the case!

The wonderful truth here is that real believers are delivered from the condemnation of God’s Law through the Lord Jesus Christ. We need not worry about being finally condemned by God, because God already condemned the Lord Jesus in our place. The Law required perfect justice—death is the penalty for braking God’s holy Law. Well, we all were guilty before God for violating His perfect standard of righteousness. The Law shows us we are sinners in need of a perfect Savior. Jesus Christ is the only one who ever lived up to God perfect expectations in a human experience. Jesus then paid for all sin through His sacrificial death at Calvary. Anyone who accepts this payment for their sins by faith will be forgiven and accepted by God. You see, the Christ who died for us is alive to save those who trust him for forgiveness of sins and a new beginning. 

Beloved, real believers are free from any obligations to the Law because we are in the Christ who satisfied all its demands. Thus, we are not condemned by God or His Law. We have so many reasons to rejoice and thank God for His perfect solution to our incredible sin problem--Jesus Christ. Our obligations to live for God are not eliminated by this, but instead they are escalated and further amplified by it. We are not free to live lawless and ungodly, but to live holy in Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember, because of faith in Jesus Christ we are not condemned by God. Have you placed your hope and trust in Jesus Christ, The Savior?  

Christ Came To Save The Lost

LUKE 19:10; ROMANS 3:10-12, 19, 23-26

SUBJECT: SALVATION

THEME: all of mankind is spiritually lost and severed from God because of our natural bent toward sinfulness. This lost condition will result in eternal damnation in Hell unless we repent receiving Christ as our personal Savior. Christ came to save you and me from the eternal consequences of our sin; trust him today to be rescued from an eternal nightmare in Hell.  

INTRODUCTION:

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)

1.  We must Begin by Asking What We Mean by “Lost” and “Saved.”

By “lost” we mean that our relationship with God is broken by our sin, and when we die, we will go to Hell. By “saved,” we mean that our relationship with God has been restored through faith in Jesus Christ and we are forgiven for our sins, redeemed by Jesus Christ, adopted into God’s family, and we will go to Heaven.

For the last two thousand years, one of the foundation stones of the Christian faith is that there is a holy God, humanity is lost, and everyone needs to be saved. Because we are guilty before God we cannot save ourselves.

2.  We must Also Understand That Everyone is Guilty of Acting Sinful Before God.

If we do not trust Christ as our very own personal Savior, we will be cast into the Lake of fire forever. This is fair punishment for those who die guilty of practicing sin before a perfect God.

Romans 3:10-12, As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: [11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. [12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Romans 3:19, Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Rev. 21:8, But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Therefore, being lost is not a light or trivial matter; it is of great importance to everyone. If mankind was basically good and everyone will go to Heaven automatically, then Jesus Christ never would have come into this world seeking sinners. He would never have endeavored to die for our sin in order to save us through faith in Him as the God-Man Savior. 

3.  Consider Sin and the Cross of Christ to Understand the Importance of Being Saved. 

In Acts 4:12 we read, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Clearly, it is through, on the basis of, Jesus Christ and His cross, burial, and resurrection alone that God forgives and saves sinners.

In fact, the cross is proof of both the immense love of God and the profound wickedness of sin. Do you want to see God’s love at its highest and sin’s vileness at its worse?

     A.  Look at the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. See Him hanging on the cross—the sinless, spotless, Lamb of God, bearing the sins of the world (Jn. 1:29). Hear Him cry in agony, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani” —that is, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46). 

       B.  Realize That Nothing Short of the Shed Blood of the Eternal, Beloved Son of God Himself Could Have Atoned for our Sin. The weight of our guilt must have been infinitely heavy and the heinousness of our sin indescribably ugly to require such a sacrifice! And God’s love must have been inexpressibly rich to allow it!

The Following Are the Fundamental Reasons Why Mankind Is Spiritually Lost:

MESSAGE:

I.  Consider Solid Proof That Mankind Is Lost And Needs To Be Saved.

Man is unquestionably spiritually lost and desperately needs to be saved from his sin. God, motivated by His love and grace, exerted great effort and expense to convey to mankind our lost condition so that we can choose to be saved. Note the following reasons why humanity is lost:

A.  HUMANITY IS LOST BECAUSE THE BIBLE SAYS SO.

   1. What Does the Bible Say about Humanity's Lostness?

The Bible declares that all of us have committed sins, and every one of us comes short of the glorious perfection of God. In addition, the wages (what we have earned as a result of serving sinfulness) of our sin is eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire.

        A.  We All Stand in Desperate Need of Salvation Because of Our Sinfulness.

Since we take the Bible at face value, we simply cannot avoid the fact that humanity is lost and in need of personal salvation. In Romans, two verses combine with particular force: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Rom. 3:23) and “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom.  6:23).

        B.  We All Presently Stand Before God Condemned Until We Believe On Christ for Salvation.

John 3:16-18, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.   [18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.     

B.  HUMANITY IS LOST BECAUSE WE CANNOT SAVE OURSELVES.

   1.  As Sinners, We Cannot Improve Our Own Condition in the Eyes of a Perfect God.

Jeremiah 13:23, Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. The obvious answer is NO!

        A. We Love Darkness Rather than Light (Jn. 3:19).

Sin is so much a part of our nature and we love it so much that we are unable to break away from its domination over our lives. We literally look forward to sin and actually make plans to sin!

        B.  We Are Naturally Hostile Toward God (Rom. 8:7–8).

The unregenerate mind/heart is naturally hostile toward God and it refuses to submit itself to the law of God.  In reality, it is not even able to do so; those who are still in the fallen fleshly lost condition cannot ever please God.  We are born in this condition and, therefore completely hopeless without God’s intervention.

        C.  We as Unredeemed Sinners Are Slaves of Our Sin (Jn. 8:34; Rom. 6:20).

As Job asked, “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. ” (Job 14:4).  Remember the corrupt and bad tree will bear bad fruit and such a tree cannot produce good fruit (Matt. 7:17–18).

   2.  As Sinners, Even Our Best Efforts Cannot Save Us from Hell.

Rom. 3:12, . . . there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

         A.  No Amount of Tears Can Atone for Sin.

         B.  No Number of Good Deeds. These cannot make amends for wrongs we have committed against God. While we can do good things, we cannot only do good acts.

         C.  No Quantity of Prayer or Personal Devotion. These cannot remove our guilt or cover it in any way either.

         D.  No Amount of Suffering in Hell. Even everlasting burning in Hell will not purify the soul from sin. In the human realm there is nothing in time or eternity that can free us from the guilt of our sin. Those who seek a do-it-yourself solution to the problem of sin only shackle themselves all the more securely to their guilt.

    3.  Even One Small Sin is Extremely Offensive to God.

Rom. 3:23, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Moreover, the smallest sin is so exceedingly vile that God—despite His infinite mercy, grace, and forgiveness—will not and cannot overlook even one sin without exacting its full penalty. 

Think of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and the size of their sin. They simply ate what was forbidden, but yet it was an act of disobedience and rebellion! They did not murder anyone nor did they lie, they disobeyed God. That is serious sin! God held them responsible for their actions.

C.  HUMANITY IS LOST BECAUSE WE DISOBEY OUR OWN CONSCIENCE.

    1.  We All Have Been Guilty of Ignoring Our Conscience.

Notice the clear biblical teaching about our guilty conscience. Romans 2:14-16,   For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: [15]  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)  [16]  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

    2.  How Does Our Conscience Show That We Are Lost?

Our conscience shows that we are lost since we are unable to live up to our own standards, let alone God's.

(Anders)

        A.  What Does Our Own Conscience Tell Us about Our Goodness?

Do you sometimes do things even though you know they are wrong? Do you sometimes fail to do things, even though you know they are right? Are you a perfect human being, even by your own standards, let alone God's?

The Christian teaching of the depravity of humanity does not hold that humanity is incapable of doing any good. Obviously, humanity is capable of doing great good. Look at the hospitals, look at the orphanages, and look at the disaster relief that do good for humanity all around the world. Yes, humanity is capable of doing well. But at the same time, we are incapable of not doing evil. It was Anders who observed,

The same person, who administrates an orphanage, doing good for hundreds of children, may go home and physically abuse his own child. The politician who is responsible for getting a hospital built for disadvantaged rural people may take a bribe from a construction company. Even the preacher who proclaims the gospel on Sunday morning may be hard and insensitive toward his wife. (Anders)

        B.  Have You Ever Tried to Be Perfect?

Have you ever tried to live up to your own standards, let alone God's standard of perfection? Have you ever said, “From this day on, I will do all the good I am able, and I will refrain from doing wrong.” (Anders)

If you have, then you know that you are incapable of living perfectly. If you have not tried it, try it. It will not be long before you go down in defeat.

I came to the conclusion, early in my Christian experience, as I tried to be perfect, that I could make myself do almost anything I wanted to except desire to do only good all the time. My “wanter” is basically flawed. And even if it were not, I still do not believe I could perform perfectly. It simply is not in me. It is not in anyone. (Anders)

        C. Do You Think Heaven Is a Perfect Place?

If you do, and if you are not perfect, how will you get there? How can the imperfect be joined to the perfect?

Either the imperfect cannot be joined to the perfect, or else the perfect becomes corrupted or contaminated by being united with the imperfect. Neither one can be true if Heaven is to be a perfect place where we can live with God forever (Rev. 21:22-27).

        D.  So What Is the Solution? There is only one. We must become spiritually perfect. We must admit that we are lost and in need of the salvation God offers, and ask Him to forgive our sins and makes us spiritually perfect. This is God’s solution.

II. Consider Solid Proof That Christ Is Willing And Able To Save Us.

There has to be a solution. There must be a way God can satisfy His perfect righteousness yet enable Him to display His rich mercy toward sinners. The cross of Christ provided the way by enabling the only Perfect Sacrifice to atone for human sin once for all.  (Rom. 3:24-26)

A.  JESUS CHRIST IS THE SINLESS SAVIOR.

    1.  He Was Perfect and Sinless.

The offering for sin had to be perfect, spotless, untainted by sin. Jesus lived a sinless, holy life in perfect obedience to God’s law.

Hebrews 4:15,  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 7:26,  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

    2.  He Was a Perfect Sacrifice.

Our Lord, the sinless One, was the Lamb of God to be offered up as the final sacrifice for our sin (Jn. 1:29).

        A.  That Is the Very Purpose for Which Jesus Came.

1 John 3:5, And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.   

        B.  As He Hung on the Cross, He Carried the Guilt of Our Sin.

Isaiah 53:4-5, Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Hebrews 9:14, How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?    

     3.  He is a Perfect Savior.

He paid the penalty to the fullest on our behalf. And in the same way that our sins were imputed to Him, so His righteousness is reckoned to us who believe: “For [God] he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor. 5:21). He rose from the dead to declare His victory over sin. “Who [Jesus] was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Rom. 4:25).

 

B.  JESUS CHRIST IS ABLE TO SAVE.

Hebrews 7:25, Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Jude 1:24, Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (2 Tim 1:12)

                                                                      

C.  JESUS CHRIST IS WILLING TO SAVE.

1 Timothy 2:3-6, For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

2 Pet 3:9, 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.

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for “by His stripes we are healed” (1 Pet. 2:24). That is the only possible remedy for our sin. It is the only way God can be both “just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26).

CONCLUSION:

Ezekiel 33:11, Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?                                                                                        

God makes an incredibly gracious appeal to humanity to turn to Him in faith. He assures us there is no hope or promise in a life or guilt-ridden death for our sins against Himself! Can you hear Him almost shouting to you asking, “Why will ye die?” Listen to His counsel to ‘turn from your wicked ways and live through the forgiveness He offers.’ God does not take any measure of pleasure in condemning the lost/unsaved person forever! Turn to Him for forgiveness today. Trust Christ and God will deal graciously with you because you accepted Christ’s complete payment for all sins. Come to Christ in faith now….

A LOST person can be SAVED when he/she acknowledges the fact that they are LOST. We must acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the ONLY ONE who can SAVE us or FIND us in our LOST condition/situation. To be Lost now and die without trusting the only one who can find you is to spend all eternity lost in Eternal Punishment in Hell. Why not trust Jesus Christ today and realize the forgiveness of sins God offers? Come to Christ Jesus in faith before it is eternally too late to do so.

The Great White Throne Judgment II

The Great White Throne Judgment II

In the first post of this series, we established from Revelation 20 and other biblical passages that the Judge before which all lost humanity must stand is the Lord Jesus Christ. As the supreme and ultimate Judge, He will correctly administer justice most judiciously. No unrepentant sinners will receive less than pure justice. Christ will not be influenced by the whimsical notions of a fickle society, nor will He legislate from the bench to circumvent bad laws. He will prosecute each case with the utmost integrity in full accordance with His absolutely righteous nature and the eternal Word of God.

While these observations for many are rightly anticipated, still we might ask at this point, “What is the judgment criterion for the lost?” They all are obviously unsaved, who appear at this trial of the millennia, so what is the reason for such a trial and what is the standard by which sinners will be examined? The Scriptures demonstrate that their failure to accept God’s provision for salvation and the content of their lives will decide the degree of their punishment in the Lake of Fire. The following thoughts from Revelation 20 will answer these concerns and unveil what will happen in the future.

What Is The Basis of Judgment? (Rev. 20:12-13)

As unsaved individuals, they will be tried at the Great White Throne judgment on the basis of their unbelief, and the quality of their lives. While it is implied, the first of these is not explained in great detail in this text. However this truth is clearly taught elsewhere with regards to this specific event. The second criterion, the works of sinners, set forth in the Word does appear here and demands our utmost considerations. Once again the Bible is the standard by which individual’s behavior will be scrutinized; God will not employ a standard that people are oblivious of, He will not make it up as He goes, and to some degree God’s moral law is written in the heart and conscience of people (Rom. 2:14-16). Therefore, no one can claim they did not know what God expects or requires—it is written in the human soul. Once again, these trials are designed to determine the degree of guilt to ensure an appropriate sentence is given. So, then what is the biblical criteria?

I.                  Their Failure to Trust the Savior!

This is NOT a Judgment of Guilt or Innocence! When the unbelieving stand before Jesus at the Great White Throne, it will not be a trial to determine guilt or innocence. Though this may be shocking for some, guilt has already been determined. Unrepentant people appear at this trial because they are guilty. But what are they guilty of?

John 3:18, tells us, “He that believeth on him [Jesus] is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Accordingly all sinners are condemned before God even before they die because they have failed to repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Faith is Christ clearly cancels all condemnation for sins because it is Jesus Christ who made the payment for all sin. The righteous sentence was executed upon Him at Calvary two thousand years ago. God’s method for delivering people from the condemnation of sin is through the full payment of sin through a Substitute. Our great and gracious Substitute is the Lord Jesus Christ! At the Great White Throne judgment, people will face Him not as the gracious Savior but as their holy Judge. There is absolutely zero chance of Him showing any mercy or grace on this occasion to anyone.

John 3:36, adds additional insight to this matter stating, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” Here John rightly indicates that the wrath of God is presently upon and remains upon the person who refuses to believe on the Son, Jesus Christ. This means that unsaved people live each day under the condemnation of their sin and are in peril of Hell every single moment of every day! Each new day that God gives them life is another gracious opportunity to repent and trust Christ the Savior. It is not wise to take this for granted, because there is no guarantee that anyone will complete a day of life and no one is certain of tomorrow. The people who will stand before our Lord Jesus will receive their sentence because they have already been found guilty of unbelief.

Many people think that the unsaved are judged on the basis of their good works outweighing their bad works. Actually nothing could be further from the truth. This dangerous assumption is a mistake of colossal proportions! If we were judged as “saved” or “unsaved” based on our works, all of us would be lost (Romans 3:23; 6:23). This much can be guaranteed! There is zero hope of us performing well enough to impress a holy and perfect God. Any honest person will confess that we are not free of sinful thoughts, deeds, and aspirations. All of us must admit that we are not perfect within ourselves or with regard to our activities. It is not that we do not do good things with wholesome desires, it is more that we cannot do ONLY good thing with ONLY wholesome motives. This fact points to the reality of sin in us; so any good we do is still tainted with our sinfulness. Obviously, our bad actions are fully corrupted with sin! So can we ever hope to amass enough good works to outweigh our bad ones? This is a hopelessly gross misconception and it is only fit for rejection as a diabolical ploy of the devil to condemn souls for all eternity.

Instead, people are lost because they rejected what they knew about God, either from creation or from the Bible (Romans 1:18–21). The reality of God is demonstrated and preached by all natural creation itself. Truly the “heavens declare” the glory and righteousness of God (see Psalm 19:1; 97:6). Furthermore, God was brilliantly revealed in Jesus Christ, and is still communicated through the pages of the Word of God. God can be known and His grace reaches out to us all to this very end, but if we fail to respond in repentance and faith…all that we know and have been afforded becomes evidence indicting our sinful hearts and minds! Once again, people appear before the Great White Throne judgment because they are guilty and they need to be sentenced for their unbelief.

Guilt does not Necessarily mean the Condemned were not Religious People.

I am personally convinced that pastors, popes, missionaries, Bible translators, priests, Christian college presidents, bishops, Christian university professors, deacons, Christian authors, Church workers, and faithful followers of religion from all times and places will be at the Great White Throne judgment. Buddhists, atheist, Hindus, secularists, Muslims, Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baptist, Presbyterians, Methodist, Confucianists, scientists and on the lists of religionist go. Unfortunately, they all will be there! This is a painful reality….

Though many religious people will be judged on this occasion, they will be finally condemned because the Lord did not know them as His people. In their hearts they did not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. No matter how sincere and committed they were in the observance of their religion, they are sincerely wrong!

The same is true of people who are associated with Christianity! Consider the crystal clear words of our Lord Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23,

Not every one that saith unto me [Jesus Christ], Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The Lord did not know these religious people as His own. Look at His words carefully, “I never knew you” (v. 23). Not ‘I once knew you,’ or ‘I had forgotten you,’ but “I never knew you”! They had NO faith-relationship with the Savior! Jesus did not say these people were not religious! Evidently they were extremely religious people. They had preached, prophesied, taught, and written Bible lesson, messages, sermons, and books! They had performed miracles, cast out devils, healed the sick, and held great deliverance revivals! In fact they had performed works that caused people to marvel, they wild millions with their amazing antics, and enthusiasts flocked to their meetings by the thousands. They enjoyed popularity, fame, riches, grand audacious homes, luxurious cars, private jets, and on the list goes. This they all did in the Name of a penniless itinerant Preacher who came not to be served, but to serve and give His life a ransom for us sinners (Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45)! It is painfully obvious…Jesus did not know them and they did not actually know Him. Do not be fooled by someone pretending to be Christian. Jesus said we can discern false teachers by their fruit (Matt. 7:13-20). This is a sobering reality unfolding before us. Think deeply and honestly about this…eternal souls are in the balance. Though these people were religious, they failed to trust the Savior for the forgiveness of their sin. They thought they could merely present their religious resumes, their good works, and amazing productions to demonstrate how worthy they are of salvation. They actually believed their positive contributions to society would impress God so much that He certainly would accept them. According to Jesus, they were wrong…eternally wrong.

II.               The Content of Their Lives! (Rev. 20:11-13)

Not only did the unsaved fail to trust the Savior, the only means of genuine salvation, but they also conducted themselves in a manner that is worthy of condemnation. Just one singular sin is a monumental violation of the holy law of God! It is His righteous majesty, which is reflected in his perfect moral law that demands such a conviction. The greater the offended authority the greater the condemnation! It is one thing to offend a bum on skid row, it is quite another to offend the president or prime minister of your country! God Almighty is the supreme authority, and all creation is answerable to Him. A supreme court is set to try high crimes against His Holy Majesty. Justice for supreme crimes like the sinful works of fallen humanity demand an official verdict.

Now carefully consider precisely what the Apostle John wrote regarding this ominous occasion,

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (Rev. 20:11-13)

John foresees how all the unsaved dead will be summoned to the Great White Throne judgment. The old heaven and earth are no more, the unredeemed dead or raised-resurrected to appear before the Judge, the Book of Life and the other chronicles of Heaven are brought forth. Unsaved individuals will give an account for their “works” of sin and be condemned accordingly. William MacDonald summarizes this scene with brilliant clarity,

These are the unbelievers of all ages. Two sets of books are opened. The Book of Life contains the names of all who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. The other books contain a detailed record of the works of the unsaved. No one who appears at this judgment is registered in the Book of Life. The fact that his name is missing condemns him, but the record of his evil works determines the degree of his punishment (Believer’s Bible Commentary, 1995).

Two realities should be noted: degrees of punishment will be based on people’s works, and condemnation is certain without a singular exception!

Yes, there will be degrees of punishment for the unbelievers. Even though everyone who is lost is lost because they did not respond fully to the true light that is available to everyone ever born (John 1:9), there appears to be degrees of punishment of unbelievers based on the quality of their lives.

Those who were kind and good will be judged less severely than those who were cruel and evil. We see this idea established in Revelation 20:12, And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

In addition, The Lord Jesus strongly indicated the same idea, regarding some cities that had rejected Him. Read carefully His words in Matthew 11:22-24,

But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. [23] And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. [24] But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

This is another reference to a grand and final day of judgment and clearly Jesus teaches various degrees of guilt and liability based on our behavior.

The concept of varying levels of liability and culpability is also expressed in Luke 12:47-48, we read:

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. [48] But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

While this passage does not relate to the Great White Throne judgment event, it conveys the Lord’s concept of justice, fairness, responsibility, accountability, and justice. This same Lord will preside over the trial of the ages and here we have a sense of how He views justice respecting degrees of punishment and culpability.

Their entire lives will be scrutinized carefully to determine the degree of guilt. It seems evident, then, that different degrees of punishment await those who are unsaved, punishment based on their thoughts, motives, words, and deeds here on earth. John shows us with transparent clarity how lost humanity will be judged on the basis of their works (v. 12, 13). Really this accounts for all facets of the human experience; all will be brought under the scrutiny of an all-wise and all-knowing Judge. Many other passages agree with this basic conclusion.

Concerning thoughts and motives, we find in Hebrews 4:12–13 that the word of God is able to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart, and that all things, without exception, are uncovered and open to the examining eyes of a holy God. Hebrews 4:12-13, says, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [13] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him [God Whom we must give an account to] with whom we have to do. Not only what we did or did not do, but why we did or did not satisfy divine requirements. All of this will also be given serious consideration. While the deception of gullible people is often obtainable for many deceivers, God knows the intentions, motivations, and desires of our hearts. We cannot deceive Him. Many have done right deeds for the wrong reasons and the Lord routinely discerns the difference. There is no possibility of a mistrial, the submission of tainted evidence, a hung jury, a miscarriage of justice or getting off by beating the system!

Concerning our words, Matthew 12:36–37 reads, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. [37] For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” That is every idle word will be brought into judgment by God. The very words of the sinner will condemn him. Every time our Lord’s Name is used in blasphemous ways, each occasion when His holy character is abused in profane utterances, and all times when careless and meaningless references are made of Him will be accounted for. In addition the words that hurt needlessly, criticize unjustly, spread lies mercilessly, gossip vengefully, or kill brutally will not go unchallenged! In additional, this Judge will not bargain with criminals, cut a plea deal, nor pervert justice to secure justice!

Concerning our actions, Revelation 20:13, states that “they [unrepentant sinners] were judged every man according to their works.” Who would fall into this category? Everyone actually, but we can be more specific. The promoters of false religions, God-haters, God-deniers, lawless, rapists, adulterers, counterfeiters, extortioners, money mongers, thieves, idolaters, addicts, prideful achievers, workaholics, liars, those who neglected their families, and those who made children, but were too lazy to raise them. These condemned 'workers' of sin include those who sleep around from weekend to weekend, homosexuals, those who cohabitate, corrupt police, judges, mayors, presidents, senators, lawyers, doctors, murderers, anarchist, dictators, and witches will all be found guilty of sinful 'works.' Even sweet little grand mothers who refused to repent and believe on Christ will be found guilty of sin on that day. For all of them, the principle reason for guilt is the rejection of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. This action and decision can never be forgiven!

Therefore, we see justice is satisfied, in that all sinners will receive fair judgment when they stand before God with nothing but their own merits. Condemnation is the only possible outcome! Listen to me carefully; no one in their right mind wants to appear before God to be judged for their sin!

Will you be judged and condemned at the Great White Throne Judgment? Beloved, if you have not yet acknowledged to God you are a sinner living in rebellion against Him then the time is upon you to do so now. If you have failed to recognize and accept the full payment for your sin then now is the time to place your trust in Jesus’ complete payment for sin. Turn away from any notions of saving yourself, or earning your own way to God—these approaches are absolutely useless. Religion is not the answer; it only exacerbates the problem making things worse. Turn now to Jesus Christ the Son of God and Savior; ask Him to save you and become the Master of your future. Believe the truth that He died in our place, was buried to prove He really did die, and He rose again the third day exactly as the Scriptures predicted He would (1 Cor. 15:1-8). As a living Savior, He can rescue all who turn to Him for the forgiveness of sins and a new beginning in God. While you are not guaranteed tomorrow, you do have now. Trust Jesus Christ as Savior today.