Setting Conviction vs. Condemnation

As a pastor I often run into people who confuse the conviction of sin that only God brings with the condemnation that only the Enemy brings. 

Two of the most important passages of scripture on this subject are:

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” – 2 Corinthians 7:10

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” – Romans 8:1-2

Mark Driscoll, in his book Who Do You Think You Are?, offers this helpful breakdown:

Conviction is from God . . . Condemnation is from Satan.

Conviction leads to life . . . Condemnation leads to despair.

Conviction ends in joy . . . Condemnation ends in sorrow.

Conviction makes us want to change . . . Condemnation makes us believe we cannot change.

Conviction leads to new identity in Christ . . . Condemnation leads to old identity in sin.

Conviction brings specific awareness of sin . . . Condemnation brings vague uncertainty about sin.

Conviction looks to Jesus . . . Condemnation looks to self.

Conviction is a blessing . . . Condemnation is a burden.

I believe the most critical thing to note is that conviction always offers a way out, a way to freedom.  However, condemnation always leaves us trapped or, worse yet, sinking deeper and slipping farther away into captivity.

To me this is very clear, though I must confess that I have been susceptible to the pull of condemnation more than once in my life.  I don’t like conviction because I don’t like dealing with the sin in my life.  Yet I know from experience that the only way to really be free – spiritually, emotionally, mentally and sometimes even physically – from sin is straight through conviction (godly sorrow) that leads straight to repentance.

Remember this good news, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)

Why do you believe there tends to be confusion between conviction and condemnation?

What has your journey to clarity and freedom looked like?

What do Twitter, The Pope and Broken Relationships have in common?

So much of the Christian life is lived out in the context of relationships.  So much so that it could almost be said that if a Christian doctrine does not have practical connection to how we live day-in and  day-out with people that it need not take up much of our focus or attention. 

I was struck last week by a tweet from Pope Francis.  He said, “The Holy Spirit helps us to view others with fresh eyes, seeing them always as brothers and sisters in Jesus, to be respected and loved.”

One of the things that struck me was the comments that came after his tweet.  Now the pope has 2.5 million followers on Twitter and when you have that many people together you are bound to have some bad apples, including many who are not Christians.  However, even though I knew this I was stunned at the large number of people who took the time to actually tweet back some very angry, hate filled words.

Who could argue with that tweet from the Pope?  Apparently lots of people.  My guess, based on their tone and the words themselves, is that they weren’t so much arguing with the tweet, but with what they perceived was behind it.  

Their relationship with the Pope, who for them somehow symbolized Christians or the Church, was clearly broken.  They were angry, filled with hate in many cases, but also suffering from the pain of some deep wounds. 

Christians, or at least people they perceived to represent Christianity, had hurt them directly or someone they cared for. 

Rick Warren said one time, “Hurt people hurt people.”  It’s so true.  When I operate out of my pain and my anger I will hurt people. 

But if relationships are so important, what am I to do as a follower of Jesus?  How can I be a healing agent, sent from God, to heal some of these relational wounds all around me?

That is a question we need to ask ourselves.  Whether it is our fellow brother or sister in Christ or someone who is very far from God, we need to grow into gracious people who are not only saved by God’s grace, but who exude it as well.  That is a key part of this life of holiness we are walking and growing in. 

If the holy life is linked in an unbreakable way to the relationships I have with others, how is that clearly being seen in my life?  How can I grow in this?

Is holiness a noun or a verb?

So . . . I am strarting a series on holiness this week so I have been thinking about the subject.  Help me process things. 

The word holy or holiness is a word that is used often in the Bible. You can see it again and again in both the Old and New Testaments.

Jesus commanded His followers to "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)

Again, the writer of Hebrews addresses holiness saying, "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14)

Holiness is special, sacred, pure, righteous, etc. These passages seem to indicate holiness as a state one comes to or resides in. It is seen as something we either do or do not possess - A NOUN.

But Micah describes a holy life quite differently:

"To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

Later Paul writes, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  (Romans 12:1-2)

Holiness here - as well as plenty of other places in the Bible - is more like A VERB. Acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly are all actions. They are things we do in our lives.

So, what is holiness and what is it made up of?  I think the obvious answer is both NOUN and VERB.  God is making me holy in Jesus, but I am also called to be holy as I follow Him.  If its not both then I think we are really missing something.    

So, how about you?

When you think of holiness do you think of it more as a NOUN or as a VERB?

How has it been taught to you in the past? 

Honestly, where does it show up on your radar screen?