God’s Love Series – Day 24 – Not Judged

I have been called an “over-thinker” many times. Sometimes my thoughts beat me up by replaying something I wish I had not done, or obsessing over something I should have done but didn’t. Even after saying I was sorry, I would still feel terrible for days.

I assumed I deserved this unease since I was the one who messed up. Maybe it was simply my punishment because God was unhappy with me.

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17 (NKJV)

God did not send Jesus to judge us and make us live with guilt. He sent Jesus to save us from judgment. After we give our lives to Him, He moves on to saving us.

Let’s look at this verse in a couple other translations.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior.” (GNTD)

“God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.” (MSG)

God sent Jesus to deal with our sin so we could have relationship with Him. God does not accuse us or beat us down over our sin. He wants us to move close to Him, not run away.

The Bible tells us who the accuser is.

“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.” “ Revelation 12:9,10 (NKJV)

The Devil is our accuser. He condemns us and wants us to think it is God Who is against us. But the Bible clears this up for us.

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 (NLT)

We can live in God’s love and forgiveness, knowing He does not judge us. He saves us.