Assurance — No Condemnation

It was indeed a dark day when God’s wrath swept through Egypt. God had sent His word and warning multiple times and neither Pharaoh nor the leaders of Egypt had obeyed His command. God wanted to bring His people out of bondage to worship and serve Him. He had plans to bring them into a new land that was rich and fruitful. It was a Land of Promise and blessings, a land of God’s favor and goodness. Before the night of God’s judgment, a warning had been given that certain condemnation was coming. To avoid the judgment and condemnation, God provided a blood covering that would bring assurance and safety. Everyone who heard God’s word and obeyed found safety and confident assurance behind the blood covering of the sacrifice lamb.

Assurance is the confidence and conviction that we will not be condemned and the penalty of sins has been paid in full.

It must have been an extreme test of their confidence and faith in God’s word when the sounds of weeping and cries of distress and anguish filled the land. Outside of the blood covering, judgment, death and condemnation ruled and prevailed. The word of God was against them and suffering and death came rapidly.

Romans 8:1-2 NKJV There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

We have a covering and shield of protection in the blood of Jesus Christ.

These words bring great comfort and consolation. God has provided a place of safety and assurance in our hearts before Him.

Condemnation is a two-sided thing.

First, it is the strong disapproval and declaration from God that a person is guilty and worthy of punishment and judgment.

This condemnation is a result of failing to meet God’s requirements, standards, and expectations. We need freedom from the condemnation that comes from sin and falling short of the righteous command of God. Through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the redeemed of the Lord have the witness of the Holy Spirit that they are free from condemnation. In Christ Jesus our Lord, we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him, (Ephesians 3:11-12).

Second, condemnation is the inward feeling or sense of personal disapproval, failure, or unworthiness.

When we examine ourselves, we find we are lacking and fail to meet our own expectations. Inner condemnation is the most difficult for each of us to gain freedom from. Adam and Eve experienced both of these when they sinned against God. Personally they were ashamed and naked. When the LORD came near, they tried to hide because they knew that they had sinned against God. We are completely dependent on the witness of the Holy Spirit in this area. The Holy Spirit bears witness with our own spirit that we are children of God, (Romans 8:16). The Holy Spirit perfectly knows what the blood of Jesus has accomplished in our lives. The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son cleanses us from all sin. As long as a person remains uncertain of their standing before God, they remain condemned.

How can we come to the place where we have assurance before God and no condemnation?

John 3:17-18 NKJV For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Before God removed Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, condemnation and a sense of unworthiness gripped their souls. They had walked in God’s presence with confident assurance and peace, joy and love filled their days. Now naked and ashamed, sin brought fear, death and condemnation. No longer could they enjoy the holy presence of God, so they attempted to hide and cover-up. They were driven from the Garden of Eden with heads bowed low under the weight of their sin and condemnation.

Have you felt like you missed the mark and have not measured up?

I have heard people say, “Don’t tell my spouse or my parents.” They knew something was wrong and did not want anyone to know.

Jesus said: “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already.”

His statement goes beyond personal feelings. It has more to do with the condition we find ourselves in. Without Jesus Christ and true faith in Him, we are condemned. No amount of self-justification or hiding can remove the fact that we are condemned. God is not just drawing our attention to the fact that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. He is revealing the way to escape condemnation. Jesus Christ is offering a life and a lifestyle that is free from the burden and guilt of condemnation. He is making it possible for you to have assurance before God and in your life.

The reason Christ came into this world was for salvation and not condemnation.

God does not delight in the judgment and death of the wicked. The good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ addresses the burden, shame, guilt and sin that brings condemnation.

• In Christ Jesus, we have been set free.
• In Christ Jesus, the sinner is no longer facing the judgment that comes from their actions.
• In Christ Jesus is full assurance and confidence before God.

1 John 4:9 NKJV In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

What is the benefit of having a conscience that does not accuse or condemn us?

1 John 3:21-22 NKJV Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

Our heart and conscience is assured or confident before God.

The penalty for our sin has been fully paid and a clean heart that is full of assurance knows that it is pleasing and acceptable to God. That person is not living in condemnation or guilt. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have access by faith into this grace, (Romans 5:1).

When we have confidence toward God, whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.

Confidence before God is closely related to assurance without condemnation. When we abide in Christ, we have confidence and receive whatever we ask from Him, because we keep His commandments.

John 3:18 NKJV He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Who is condemned?

The text says the believer who trusts and relies in Him is not condemned. The unbeliever stands condemned in their sin. The importance of belief or faith in Christ cannot be overstressed. Belief, faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ suspends, prevents, arrests, and stops judgment or condemnation. The person who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is not to be captivated again by guilt, fear, bondage, or shame. They are not to be condemned. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ gives us assurance that extends beyond our present circumstances into eternity.

Mercy and grace have stepped in where judgment should have been and the believer is saved and justified through the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is God’s amazing grace and goodness in action. The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son cleanses us from our sins and the condemnation and judgment is laid upon Him.

Romans 8:1 NIV Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…

He is our peace, reconciliation and righteousness. God has satisfied all of the righteous requirements of the law that was against us in His Son, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. In Christ, we now have assurance and peace within our heart and before God.