Good morning great brothers of God.
The line between condemnation and conviction is often blurred and one we cross when we fail to do that which we know we should.
The Apostle Paul struggles with this as noted in Romans 7 and, for me, I find myself reciting similar monologues more often than I care to admit.
The enemy of souls will bid us with temptation, then be the one to point his ugly finger as our accuser to convince us that we are lost, guilty, condemned forever to this plight of failure.
But Jesus comes not as the accuser, but as the Restorer, the Great Teacher, the Forgiver of Sins, the Mighty Counsellor.
He will "convict" us, to seek righteousness and His goodness, but never condemn us.
We are no longer to beat ourselves up, noting our limitations, inabilities, shortcomings nor distracted minds.
Yes, we are to gird ourselves and prepare ourselves like a man... to be sober minded... to apply ourselves and pay attention to the great Teacher.
To respond to His conviction, but we are no longer to wear the clothes of the condemned. No longer dead men walking!
John 3:17 says that God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but that the world through Him would be saved.
And, Roman 8:1 says that there is no condemnation to those in Christ.
So, why do we so often cross this line?
Maybe His goodness is just too hard to believe when we are looking at what He has to work with every time we look in the mirror.
Then again, He is God!
My friend Joe Battaglia, author of Make America Good Again wrote,
“Jesus confronted sin in a loving manner. Conviction brings love into the equation whereas condemnation leaves no room for love. Conviction is born of love, condemnation from a lack of compassion.” Wow.... what a truth! I believe it is the love of God that brings transformation. This "conviction" Joe speaks of... born out of love... will get the job done.... as I said He IS God. Have a little faith.
For WE WILL grow... WE WILL change.... WE WILL be transformed into the likeness of our Lord, Jesus.
Strength and Honor, but Only for His Glory,
MDN Coach Dennis
Author of Seventh-Inning Stretch: Reflection on the Game of Life
Seventh-Inning Stretch: Reflections on the Game of Life by Dennis Labriola, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)
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