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Hello folks. Today's devotional covers condemnation, and will be a precursor to a devotional on spiritual warfare that may be released in September.
Date | August 18, 2024 | Condemnation |
Verse | Romans 2:1 (NIV): "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things." Isaiah 43:25 (NIV): "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." Psalm 34:21-22 (NIV): "Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned." 2 Peter 2:1-10 (NIV): "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority." |
Explanation | These four passages from the Bible discuss various aspects of judgment, condemnation, and salvation. Here's a breakdown of each passage and how they relate to these topics:
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Societal Relevance | As Christians, we can reduce the severity of condemnation or penalties by following Christ's teachings, such as loving our neighbors, showing compassion towards others, and living a life rooted in truth and righteousness. We should also be discerning when it comes to identifying false teachers and avoid their influences. To help combat false teaching in the modern world, we can study scripture thoroughly, seek wisdom from godly leaders, engage in open dialogue with other Christians about our beliefs, and share the gospel message with those who are lost or deceived by false teachings. In the contemporary era, there are several forms of false teaching or heresies that Christians should be aware of. One example is the denial of the Trinity, which states that God exists as three distinct persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) who are co-eternal and consubstantial with one another. This belief has been a fundamental tenet of Christianity since its inception as described in the Nicene Creed. Another example is the denial or reinterpretation of essential Christian doctrines such as salvation by grace through faith alone (Sola Fide), the deity of Christ, and the resurrection of Jesus. These teachings are central to the Christian faith and have been consistently affirmed throughout church history. Lastly, there is an increasing trend towards universalism or inclusivity, which asserts that all people will ultimately be saved regardless of their beliefs or actions. While it may seem appealing in its emphasis on love and inclusiveness, this teaching contradicts the biblical teaching on hell and eternal punishment for those who reject Christ. It's essential to remain grounded in the teachings of Scripture and the historical doctrines of the church to avoid being misled by false teachings that may seem appealing but ultimately lead away from a genuine relationship with God. Luckily, by the grace of God, I have avoided false teachings, but with everything, it is easy to get sucked into false truths. As God is forgiving, He can show us the way to avoid being lead astray through the power of discernment. Humility is also important, and judging others less. By focusing on God more (as in listening to Christian music, making these devotionals and praying more), it seems that the Lord has guided me onto a better path. Remember, life is a spiritual war between flesh and the spirit. Jesus already won the war, we just need to win the battle by being on the side of the Lord. |
