In Romans 8:1 it says: „THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.“ (AMP) Could it be said any more plain or clear? You accepted Christ as your savior, therefore there is no more condemnation for you.
A shout of joy and gratitude should pass our lips, every time we read or here these fine words. Sadly though there are way too many believers that developed a disease, I call the Right to Condemn.
I admit I had this disease once myself. Many times out of good intention. I judged people for not growing spiritually, for not seeing the next steps out of misery, or not confessing obvious sin. In my heart I decided they will never grow or be free. Some times I even said it out loud. Then there were times, I had the worst kind of this disease: RTCM -> Right to Condemn Myself. I would tell myself the same things.
„But what is so bad to tell someone where he/she is failing? Don’t you want your brothers and sisters in Christ to grow and reach their full potential?“, one might ask. … Well, actually I do! There is a difference though between telling someone where he/she will never be getting it, or explaining lovingly the next steps and offering your help to go them.
Jesus paid with his death at the cross the ultimate price for all of our sins. By exclaiming a person will never be free, I declare him to be a hopeless case. And also I am saying, the price Jesus paid, was not enough. It is like spitting in Jesus‘ face while he is hanging on the cross. – The good news is: you and I, we can repent even from something awful as this. So huge is His mercy. Let me tell you, I have repented.
Now I am having a blast, when the people I serve understand that there is hope for them. The awe in their faces, when they realize that God has not given up on them, gets me every single time. Why? Because I know that the advise I am giving is not my own, it is a direct download through the Holy Spirit. … At least 85 to 90% of the time. After all I am human and I make mistakes.
If you want your brothers and sisters in Christ to grow and want to help them, here is my heartfelt advise: Develope a state of love for them. Pray before you speak. Be patient. Expect the impossible.
Today in Hamburg my team mate and I served a lady. She seemed to have a very hard heart. She seemed rebellious, even unteachable. But after some time, when she realized that we were not judging her, she totally opened up and spoke of her heart; of all the abuse she suffered. It was the simplest prayer that worked. She said: „Jesus, help me to get close to you again!“ There is still a lot of unforgiveness that needs to be delt with, but she made the first step closer to the Lord. And that is what is important. Even the longest way starts with a first step. She took it. A time to rejoice with her!
With Jesus there is no hopeless case.