The Lord Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:17, For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Dear child of God, read those words from our Blessed Lord again. So many of God’s children walk around under this thick cloud of condemnation. What is the source of such an oppressive spirit? Most certainly, this condemnation does not come from The Lord, nor from The Holy Ghost. Conviction? Chastening? Yes. Condemnation? No.

The apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:1-2 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

The source of this condemnation is Satan. Rev 12:10 "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."

In courtroom terminology, Satan is the prosecuting attorney. The Lord Jesus told Peter before he denied him that Satan would pounce on the sin, and seek to destroy his faith in Jesus. "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat" (Luke 22:31).

Oh the compassion and mercy that Jesus has for ALL of His sheep when they fail and fall short of the glory of God. Listen once again to the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 8:33-34. "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

One of Satan’s most effective fiery darts is the fiery dart of accusation. Every child of God must resist this lie from the pit of hell by holding up the shield of faith, which in reality is the shield of faith in the perfect work of Jesus Christ for our sin, not the shield of faith in my own faith. When the church of Corinth did not deal biblically with the issue of forgiving a man who has fallen, but had repented of his sin, Paul exhorted them to forgive him: "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Cor 2:11).

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is our Advocate or defense attorney before The Father. He is not condemning you, beloved, He is pleading for you and me before The Father. Rejoice in your salvation, resist the devil and he will flee from you. Hallelujah! SELAH

Koinonia Fellowship

Sundays at 8:30a and 10:30a

500 Main St. East Rochester, NY 14445

koinoniafellowship.com