Uncle Akin: Neither Do I Condemn You

Friday, 9 June 2017

Neither Do I Condemn You

Volumes Spoken in a Silent Pause

He straightened up and said to her, “Where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?” “No one, sir,” she answered. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again.”] (John 8:10-11, GNT)

Repentance is part of the continual work of grace (i.e. sanctification), as we grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ. We will be on this journey until we see Jesus. [1 John 3:2-3] The Holy Spirit opens our eyes (convicts us) of areas and things that require change, as we press towards the mark of our high calling in Christ Jesus. [Psalm 139:23-24; Philippians 3:14] This is what it means to be born of water and of the Spirit. [John 3:5] It is not a one-time, forever clean, event. It is a continual work of grace, as we grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ. [Ephesians 4:13]

"Shame is a soul-eating emotion." (Carl Gustav Jung)

Herein is the difference between the Holy Spirit and the devil, as it relates to sin. The Holy Spirit convicts us (opens our eyes) to the wrong with the sole aim of repentance, closure, and growth. The devil, on the other hand, seeks to condemn us. [2 Corinthians 7:10; John 16:8; Revelations 12:10] His sole aim is not our repentance. It is to keep us down. It is to freeze us in time and space. It is to hold us captive, under the heavy burden of guilt, condemnation, and shame. He wants to rob us of all. He wants to rob us of our dignity, our joy, and our peace. He wants to kill us. He wants to destroy us. [John 10:10]

"The law breaks the hard heart, but the gospel melts it. A stone duly broken, may be still a hard stone; but the gospel melts." (Ralph Erskine)

Satan drives to relate our incident with our person, our worth. He drives at eroding our self-worth. He rejoices when rather than repenting and settling the issue before God, we dwell in self-pity, beating ourselves to confusion and disillusionment. Don’t give him a place. You are wiser than that. Don't be the victim of false religious piety. The price for your sins has already been paid in full. The price paid was more than sufficient. It is not in us to pay for them. It is in us to receive what the Father has freely given through His son.

Our Father does not condemn you. [Romans 8:1] Yes, he might be disappointed, but He still loves us with an everlasting love. He is looking out longing for us. He is longing for us to come home. And, once He catches a glimpse of us, runs with open hands, hugging, kissing, and welcoming us. [Luke 15:11-32] Don’t deprive Him of this. Don't deprive Him of this joy. Come back home, and keep coming back for as look as it takes. We are work in progress. Let Him make of us that which we are meant to be.

"Neither do I condemn you," is His answer. Go, but do not sin again." Go, and do your part in the path of righteousness. Go, and depend on His ability, His grace to sustain and carry you. The Father does not condemn you. Rather, He wants to walk with you every step of the way. He wants to cause you to will and to do of His good pleasure. [Philippians 2:12-13] Our place is to let Him.