To read or listen to Nancy’s answer recorded live on Moody radio.
The word condemned is like a verdict in a court of law. The defendant is either found to be guilty or not guilty for the crime that was committed. If found guilty, then the result would be condemnation, which results in punishment. For the Christian, we know that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for all the past, present, and future sins. Therefore, we will not be condemned for our sins. However, for all who have not accepted Christ as Savior, they stand condemned.
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
Because of our belief in Christ and His sacrifice, God sees us as righteous. Our sin has been nailed to the cross with Jesus, giving us the right to be in His presence and called His child. God is always good and wants the best for us. When we choose to go against God and sin, He will discipline us as a good father would discipline his child. Never is discipline meant to harm us, but rather to bring us to repentance and back into fellowship with God.
“For He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
What happens when we don’t repent?
God disciplines those whom He loves. It is God’s way of turning His children from rebellion to obedience. Through discipline, our selfishness is brought into question, and we begin to see God’s perspective on our lives that can lead to the confession of our sins and our desire to turn back to God.
“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night, your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah” (Psalm 32: 1-5).
Discipline from God is a good thing. It is a gift that reinforces how much God cares for us and wants the very best for us. Paul made it clear that we need to learn from God’s discipline and choose to live lives that give God the glory.
“I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1,2).