condemned – Ministry of Grace Church

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Romans 14:23 – Walking By Faith

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Will

But whoever doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Truth to Learn

Listening to the Holy Spirit means walking by faith.

Behind the Words

“Doubts” is translated from the verb diakrinō, made up of dia, denoting separation and krinō, meaning “to judge, distinguish, or decide.” Diakrinō means “to make a distinction between two things.” When expressed in the middle voice, as it is here, it means “to contend with oneself.” That is, “to waver between two points of view” or “to doubt.”

The word “condemned” is from katakrinō, which means “to judge down” or “to judge as guilty.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense, indicating action which was completed in the past but with an ongoing effect, the emphasis being on the ongoing effect.

“Sin” is translated from the Greek noun hamartia. The verb form of this word, hamartanō, means “to miss the mark.” Thus, a sin is something in which God instructs us to do one thing and we do something else (we miss the mark He has set for us).

Meaning Explained

Paul has been talking about decisions that we make regarding the things we have convictions about. In the previous verse he told us that we will be blessed if we allow ourselves to do those things which we are convinced are okay. Now he looks at the other side of the coin. He addresses what happens if we are convicted by the Holy Spirit not to do something but we do it anyway.

He goes back to the example of eating and says, “But whoever doubts is condemned if he eats.” If the Holy Spirit and our conscience tell us that it is okay to do something, then it is okay to do it. But, if our conscience is nagging us about something, or if the Holy Spirit will not let us have peace about a potential decision and we go ahead and do it anyway, then our actions will result in sin. The reason, according to Paul, is “because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.” In other words, if we can’t feel complete spiritual peace about something, then we shouldn’t do it. That’s where faith comes into this picture. If it’s what God wants us to do, then we WILL have peace about it. That’s not to say that there won’t be some uncertainty about the future. What we can be sure of, however, is that if we have peace about our decision after we have prayed about it and have earnestly sought God’s direction, then it’s time to move ahead and follow our decision.

If, on the other hand, after we have prayed about the decision, seeking God’s guidance, we still have doubts in our mind as to whether we should do it, then we shouldn’t! In this case the doubts are a product of Holy Spirit conviction.

The key to all this is that we must be submitted to God and we must be committed to doing His will. If this is true and we have earnestly sought God’s guidance, then the lack of doubt is a sign of God’s approval.

Application

This type of behavior requires a level of spiritual maturity that some Christians never achieve because it requires exercising their faith. This is an example of walking by faith, not by sight. It requires the ability to discern between what we want to do and what God wants us to do. Are you willing to submit your will to that of your Heavenly Father and walk by faith?

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 8:3 – Righteous Through Him

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Will

For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by having sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,

Truth to Learn

Jesus Christ perfectly kept the law, thus demonstrating His righteousness, and God grants us His righteousness through faith in His sacrificial death.

Behind the Words

The words “could not do” are translated from a single Greek word. It is adunatos, which is a compound word made up of the privative a, meaning “without” or “not” and dunatos, meaning “powerful, able, or capable.” Hence, adunatos means “without power” or “unable.”

“Weak” is from the verb astheneō, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “without” and sthenos, meaning “strength.” Thus, it means “to be without strength” or “to be weak.”

The Greek word homoiōma is translated here as “likeness.” This word is derived from homos, which means “one and the same.” Homoiōma means “having the same form.”

The word translated “condemned” is the Greek word katakrino, which is the verb form of a word we looked at just two verses back. It means “to proclaim a judgment of condemnation against someone or something.”

Meaning Explained

This is another potentially very confusing verse so let’s look at it one phrase at a time. “For what the Law could not do” is a reference to what Paul has said in the seventh chapter of this letter. The Law cannot produce righteousness in man. Why? “In that it was weak through the flesh” says that the reason the law could not produce righteousness is because man tried to produce righteousness through acts of the flesh. But the flesh is weak because of the sin nature and cannot satisfy the law; therefore, the law could not produce this righteousness.

But, what the Law could not do, Paul says God sent his son to do for us: “God did by having sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.” In other words, even though Christ took on human flesh, he did not take on sinful human flesh. He had the appearance of sinful flesh (that form which every member of the human race has), but He was not sinful human flesh. For emphasis, let me restate that this passage says that Christ took on human flesh, but he did not take on sinful human flesh.

God the Father sent Jesus in the form of sinful human flesh, “on account of sin;” that is, Christ came to earth and took on human flesh in order to deal with sin. He dealt with sin by living a sinless life that was then freely offered for sinful lives. Because he perfectly fulfilled the Law and committed no sin, He “condemned sin in the flesh.” In other words, in human flesh Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Law and therefore made a judgment of condemnation against sin.

Application

Paul has been teaching us that a person cannot be justified by trying to obey the law. We have a sin nature that causes us to sin, and with a single sin we lose the righteousness that perfectly keeping the law would have provided. As a result, God had to create a way for sinful man to receive His righteousness, which can only come by faith in the blood of Christ. Thank you, God, for giving me your righteousness through faith in the sacrifice of Your perfect Son.

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Peter 2:6 – Lulled Into Sin

Posted on April 20, 2017 by Will

And if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, incinerating them as an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;

Truth to Learn

It’s easy to ignore sin when everyone around is doing it.

Behind the Words

The word translated “condemned” is katakrinō, which is made up of kata, meaning “against” and krinō, meaning “to judge.” Hence, it means “to judge against.”

“Incinerating” is from the Greek word trephroō, which is derived from the noun trephra, meaning “ashes.” Hence, trephroō means “to turn into ashes” or “to incinerate.”

Meaning Explained

Remember what Peter has been talking about? He has been talking about the false prophets of the past and the false teachers of his time and ours. Through their smooth words they deliver a message that is designed to line their own pockets rather than to edify the body of Christ. Though they seem to be doing so with impunity, Peter said in verse 3 that their long standing judgment is not idle and their punishment is not sleeping. It is coming and they will not escape.

By way of example, Peter then talked about the angels who sinned and are now incarcerated in Tartarus as well as the wicked people of Noah’s time who perished in the flood. Today he gives a third example, that of Sodom and Gomorrah.

You can read the account of the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19. There you will see that the people of Sodom had become so wicked in their sexual lusts that they had abandoned all semblance of civility, seeking to violate even strangers that wandered into their town. Spiritually, this is no different than the false teachers whom Peter has been talking about. The people of Sodom were content with their lifestyle. They saw nothing wrong with it. They even accused Lot of being a self-righteous prude because he confronted them concerning their sinful practices..

And, reading the account of Sodom and Gomorrah carefully you will see how even righteous Lot (that’s what Peter calls him in the next verse) had become calloused and even tainted by their wicked ways. Though Lot acted to protect the visitors, he was willing to sacrifice his own daughter to the lusts of the townspeople. Even his perspective had become distorted; his spiritual sensitivity had been obliterated.

Even though it appears that the townspeople were about to prevail, God’s judgment first blinded them and then destroyed them because they refused to hear the message of “repent and be saved.” They would not listen to sound teaching.

Application

Where are you today? Content with how easy it is to be a Christian? Have you been lulled to sleep by good sounding, easy to digest messages from the pulpit? Or are you committed to doing what is right in God’s eyes no matter what everyone around you is doing?

It’s time to wake up!

In God's service, for His glory,

James 5:9 – Grumbling Judgment

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Will

Do not murmur against one another, brothers, that you be not condemned. Behold, the Judge stands before the door!

Truth to Learn

Complaining about other Christians does not please God.

Behind the Words

The word translated “murmur” is the Greek word stenadzō. This is based on the adjective stenos, meaning “narrow” or “squeezed” as when one is squeezed by circumstances. Hence, stenadzō is the action that results from being squeezed, that is, to “sigh, groan, grumble, or complain.” The idea in James’ use of the word is that of complaining about someone else’s fortunate circumstances or complaining against someone else.

The words “one another” are from allēlōn, meaning “each other, yourselves, or one another.” James’ use of this word, immediately followed by “brothers,” indicates that he is talking about a Christian grumbling against another brother or sister in Christ.

“Condemned” is another of those words we have looked at recently, meaning “to pass judgment down against” or “to condemn.”

The word “stands” is translated from the Greek verb histēmi, meaning “to stand.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense, indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect, where the emphasis is on the ongoing effect.

Meaning Explained

We, as Christians, should never be discontent when a brother or sister receives a blessing from God. Likewise, we should never speak against a brother or sister because of a position they have. Instead, we should rejoice that a child of God has been blessed by the Father.

Nonetheless, our carnal nature is often envious or even jealous of other Christians and we compensate for it by speaking against them. James says that this should not be so. When we do grumble against, or complain about, each other, we are really condemning ourselves. Back in James 4:11, 12 we were told:

Do not speak against one another, brothers. The one speaking against his brother and judging his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver and Judge, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you who judging your neighbor?

When we grumble against a brother or sister in Christ, we are usurping the position of judge, which belongs to God and God alone. That’s why James reminds us here that, “the Judge is standing before the door.” In other words, he hears our words and is coming soon, as we were told in the previous verse.

It’s bad enough when an unsaved person speaks against Christians; we should not do likewise. Instead, we should be building up one another, as it says in Hebrews 10:25,

…but encouraging one another; and so much the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Application

The next time you are tempted to say something negative about a fellow Christian, imagine that Jesus is standing next to you. In the light of His holiness and your sinfulness, are you still willing to say what you were about to regarding your brother or sister in Christ?

Instead of being grumblers and tearing down the body of Christ, let us be encouragers, and build it up!

In God's service, for His glory,

James 5:6 – Murderous Condemnation

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Will

You condemned, you murdered the righteous; he does not resist you.

Truth to Learn

Wealth can blind a person to justice.

Behind the Words

The word “condemned” is translated from katadikadzō, which is a compound word made up of kata, meaning “down” and dikadzō, meaning “to pass judgment.” Hence, this word means “to pass judgment down against” or “to condemn.”

“Murdered” is from the Greek verb phoneuō, meaning “to kill a person unjustly” or “to murder.”

The expression “the righteous” is from the Greek, ton dikaion, which means “the just one” or “the righteous one.” There are some who suppose that this is a reference to the Christ who was killed without resistance even though he was righteous. The text here does not really lend itself to such an interpretation, however. A better interpretation is that it refers to the way these rich men have treated the workers under them who acted righteously in their behavior toward the rich land owners.

Meaning Explained

James now concludes his condemnation of the rich people of his day (and of our day as well). He has already declared that the wealth that they had amassed is already wasting away and will do them no good when they stand before the Judge of all mankind. Especially, since they have garnered that wealth by withholding a fair wage from those who earned it by righteously serving them.

By holding back the wages of their workers and not paying them what they were due, the rich have effectively killed them and certainly condemned them to a life of poverty. They have passed judgment against their workers, determining that they are not as worthy as rich men like themselves.

It appears that in James’ day the rich were in control of the courts as well. This was certainly true in Jewish life, where the rich Pharisees had control of both the civil and the religious judicial systems. When the rich band together, they become a very powerful body that can sway the thinking of even many formerly righteous people. It is clearly evident in our society today just as it was true in the first century. Against such power a poor man, even one of the highest integrity, is powerless. But God is not!

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the churches in Galatia, expressed a similar idea:

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man may sow, that he will also reap. For the one sowing to his own flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will reap everlasting life from the Spirit. (Galatians 6:7, 8)

Also, keep in mind what James said only a few verses back:

Therefore, to him knowing what good thing to do and not doing it, it is sin to him. (James 4:17)

Application

Let us consider that we ourselves are rich compared to many in the world today. We can use that wealth in a manner that will yield us a reward in the hereafter, or we can selfishly hoard it and defraud others so that we can get more “stuff,” which will be of no value whatsoever on the other side of the grave?

What are you doing with your riches?

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Thessalonians 2:12 – Truth Rejected

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Will

that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Truth to Learn

Judgment is coming! We need to spread the good news now.

Behind the Words

The words “they … may be condemned” are translated from the Greek verb krinō, which means “to separate,” “to decide between good and evil,” or “to judge.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood indicating possibility or probability.

“Did not believe” is from the verb pisteuō, meaning “to believe” or “to have faith.” It is expressed here as an aorist participle, so it could be translated as “having not believed.”

Alētheia is the word translated “truth.” It is composed of the privative a, meaning “not” and a form of lanthanō, meaning “to be hidden.” Thus, alētheia refers to that which is not hidden, that which is obviously apparent, or that which is true.

“Had pleasure” is from the verb eudokeō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and dokeō, meaning “to think.” Hence, eudokeō means “to think well of” or “to be pleased with.” It is expressed here as an aorist participle, so it could be translated as “having had pleasure.”

The word “unrighteousness” is from adikia, which is made up of a, meaning “not” or “without” and a form of dikē, meaning “that which is right or just.” Thus, adikia refers to “that which is not right” or “that which is not just.”

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul has been talking about the events that will precede the coming of the Day of the Lord, when God will pour out His wrath on the inhabitants of the earth. The two specific events mentioned are the apostasia and the revealing of the “lawless one,” the person we commonly refer to as the antichrist. His appearance on the scene will be accompanied by miraculous signs and wonders that will convince the “earth dwellers” that he is a god.

In the previous verse, Paul told us that the unbelievers on the earth at that time will be fooled into believing in the deity of the antichrist because God will send a powerful deception. In other words, God will allow the antichrist and his false prophet to perform these signs and miracles, and He will cause the “earth dwellers” to believe in these miraculous events and to accept the antichrist as a god.

Now Paul tells us a little more about those who will be deceived by the antichrist. First of all, they are unbelievers. That is, they will not believe in the truth of God as written in the Bible. Even today, many people believe that the Bible is just a collection of fables and restrictive rules. The other thing we are told about these unbelievers is that they will think that unrighteousness is good. They will have completely thrown off the mantle of God’s influence in their lives.

As a result, these earth dwellers will be judged by God. This judgment will come in two forms. The first is all the terrible judgments that God will execute on the earth in the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments described in the book of Revelation. But, worse than that, they will be cast into the lake of fire for all eternity at the end of their earthly lives.

Application

Some of us may find it difficult to witness the gospel message to those around us, but we need to redouble our efforts. A day is coming soon when this truth will be completely rejected.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 8:3 – Righteous Through Him

Posted on May 20, 2010 by Will

Romans 8:3

For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,

Truth to Learn

Jesus Christ perfectly kept the law, thus demonstrating His righteousness, and God grants us His righteousness through faith in His sacrificial death.

Behind the Words

“Weak” is from the verb astheneō, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “without” and sthenos, meaning “strength.” Thus, it means “without strength” or “weak.”

The Greek word homoiōma is translated here as “likeness.” This word is derived from homos, which means “one and the same.” Homoiōma means “having the same form.”

Meaning Explained

But, what the Law could not do, Paul says God sent his son to do for us: “God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.” In other words, even though Christ took on human flesh, he did not take on sinful human flesh. He had the appearance of sinful flesh (that form which every member of the human race has), but He was not sinful human flesh. For emphasis, let me restate that this passage says that Christ took on human flesh, but he did not take on sinful human flesh.

Application

In God’s service, for His glory,

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