Stay Out of the Street

12.18.2009

John 3:18 18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. New American Standard Bible

Judgment is not for the believing but for the unbelieving. There is no reason for the believing to be judged because they believe in the One who took their judgment for them – the Lord Jesus.

Yes, there are demands in the New Testament. There are certain things we shouldn’t do but that’s only because they are harmful to us – or to others. Most all of us would try to stop a little child from running into a busy street – not so that the child can obey some law, but that he wouldn’t be injured or killed as a result. The demand is, “Billy, stay out of the street!” But is Billy judged for wanting to do so? NO! Billy is loved – and corrected, counseled and taught – but he’s not judged. And if Billy later willingly chooses, despite the warnings to go into the street, he still isn’t judged – he reaps what he’s sown. Billy is still loved – even in the ICU. But what do we think of Billy when he proclaims and lives the lifestyle, “There is no God!”? Judgment then takes on a different hue…

When will we quit trying to impress God with what we do and believe that we aren’t judged because Jesus already did that – once for all!? That still means stay out of the busy street or stay away from temptation, or love your neighbor as yourself. The only way to escape the insanity of sin is to believe in the One who has dealt with its penalty and offers freedom to all who will believe that fact.

The more I try to impress God with all I can do manifests what I really believe…

Father in Heaven,

You did it all, You paid it all and there is nothing I can add to it. Help me to understand there is no judgment for the believer; there is simply love. Help me to love people and try to help them by showing them the judgment is over through belief in Jesus. Father, help me to believe, I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.