Unpacking Condemnation

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1 MKJV)

I like the way another translation phrases it.

There is, therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in union with Christ Jesus; (Romans 8:1 TCNT) I believe this brings out a link back to the earlier part of chapter 7 where he is talking about the intimate union found in a marriage relationship. Those who allow themselves to become intimately involved with Jesus at the heart level will find themselves free from the sense of condemnation that has plagued them throughout all of their previous religious life when their intimacy was with the Law and their focus was on performance and keeping of rules.

The question that I want to explore right now is, “What is condemnation?”

I know that most of us believe we are familiar with the feeling and quite likely we are. But that does not necessarily mean we have an understanding of what it actually is or even where it comes from. When I ask myself this question I suddenly realize that there are gaps in my own library in my head when I look for the definition of this word. I certainly have some strong feelings and emotions and memories associated with it, but that does not mean I really know what it means, especially from heaven's point of view. So I ask again, what does this word really mean, both in a narrow and broader definition?

It may seem rather negative to dwell on such a word at length when there is so much exciting power and freedom waiting to be learned and absorbed from chapter 8. But I want to be thorough in my study through this book so that my heart as well as my mind can become saturated with the truths and the reality described here. If God says that I do not have to feel condemnation when I am in Christ, then I want to know just what it is so that when it tries to sneak into my experience deceptively or force itself onto my heart and manipulate my emotions, I will recognize it clearly for what it really is and have a better sense of how to respond to it.

To start with as I many times find helpful to do, I went back to look at the Greek word that was used to come up with this English word condemnation. Here is what I find in Strong's definitions.

Katakrino – from kata and krino; to judge against, i.e. sentence:--condemn, damn.

Krino – properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish:--avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.

As I look through these words and phrases I get the strong sense of a very negative disposition, of an adversarial relationship of one person against another. I see two things taking place in this word. First, a decision is being made about something or someone and second, the decision made is very negative and possibly even arbitrary. What I see here is what I realize that billions of people believe in their hearts and minds about what they think God is like and His disposition toward them to a great degree. Unfortunately it is also the attitude that many Christians display to a lesser or greater degree toward those who do not go along with their beliefs or accept their doctrines and lifestyle. However, Christians certainly do not have a corner on condemnation; every human being is capable of treating others with this kind of attitude and usually do at some point or another. Many religions make this almost the cornerstone and foundation of the way they relate to those around them.

What I also see embedded in this definition is the roots for a great deal of bias and bigotry. Not too many people are willing to admit that they have bigoted opinions about others, but in their actions and attitudes are betrayed the fruits of bigotry and exclusiveness that creates feelings of condemnation in those who are not in harmony with them. Again, a very great number of people believe, either consciously or unconsciously that this is a fitting description of the God of Heaven. It is too often deeply embedded in the attitudes of strict religionists and is institutionalized into the framework of many systems of belief.

But does condemnation really come from God? Does condemnation serve a useful function in motivating people into a saving relationship with God? Is condemnation a legitimate tool for raising healthy children into productive and mature adults? The correct answers to these questions are not necessarily self-evident to many who may be confronted with them.

I would also like to know what kind of feelings and internal results condemnation produces in a person's life. I would like to take time to ask people for reflective and honest responses to that query. If any of you would like to share your thoughts and stories on this word I would be very interested. I do not yet have a comprehensive grasp on this word and want to understand it better. I need input from other perspectives even if I don't agree with them. Condemnation is such a pervasive element of our society and especially of most religion that I think it will be very helpful to spend a bit of time unpacking it more thoroughly.

According to this verse, those who are really in Christ Jesus do not have to experience whatever it is that this word means. I also cannot help but remember the statement that Jesus said, “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17 NRSV) Quite clearly, whatever this word really means it is an experience and feeling that God has no intention of imposing on the world. And yet it is so pervasive in our world and is generally attributed either directly or indirectly back to originating with God that something is terribly wrong here. Somebody is lying and an awful lot of damage and pain is being inflicted on hearts generation after generation, and too often in the name of God.

The very fact that this verse in Romans 8:1 insists that those who are in Christ are not under condemnation while at the same time so many Christians live with the feeling of condemnation indicates that something is very wrong, something is out of place and there is a lot more confusion than many would like to admit. Some would take this statement as an excuse to insist that any Christian who feels condemnation must not be in Christ. But sometimes the very way they say it comes across as condemning and the question then becomes whether or not they themselves are in Christ.

There is also the phenomenon of false guilt that needs to be addressed. This is where we may feel guilty and condemned when in fact it is not true at all. This verse does not say that a person “in Christ Jesus” will never feel condemned; it simply says that there is no condemnation for them. We live in a world where there is a miasma of swirling deceptions that constantly confuse and distort reality and truth. Spiritual darkness and error are the realities of the world we live in and only truth and light from heaven can dispel the confusion and false feelings that we experience.

My little children, let's not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and persuade our hearts before him, because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our hearts don't condemn us, we have boldness toward God; (1 John 3:18-21 WEB)

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