Jesus-Not Condemnation

The following study is from a compilation created by Glenn A Coon entitled, "I Know Something Good"  

A soul winning manual for sharing the good news of salvation.

LESSON V

JESUS–NOT CONDEMNATION

The Law of Positiveness

I. Christ's Mission

1. How does Christ sum up His mission?

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

2. For what purpose did He not come?

"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.

"The Lord wants His people to follow other methods than that of condemning wrong, even though the condemnation is just."Gospel Workers, p. 373.

II. Classes Christ Did Not Condemn

1. Name some of the classes of individuals Christ has forbidden us to condemn.

a. Christians of other groups than our own. Mark 9:38-4C. b. Christians of our own group. Romans 14:13. c. Those who have fallen into sin. John 8:3-11. d. Anyone who preaches the Word of God. 1 Timothy 5:17, 19.

III. Classes Christ Does Condemn

1. Those who condemn others. Matthew 7:1, 2; Romans 2:1.

a. They are guilty also of hypocrisy. Matthew 7:5.

b. All judgment is committed to Christ. John 5:22.

c. Therefore, those who try to take His place are associated with anti-christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:2-4; 1 John 2:18.

2. Those who "debate" and have "strife" and oppress others, we are to "cry aloud" against and "spare not." Isaiah 58:1, 4. 

3. The proud, self-satisfied, etc. Proverbs 6:16-19; Revelation 3:14-20. 4. Not the sinner, but the sin. Romans 8:3.

IV. Christ Understood

1. How did Christ show the woman of Samaria that He knew all about her life?

"For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband." John 4:18.

2. Instead of condemning her for this unfortunate life, what did Jesus do for her?

"The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: . . .Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he." John 4:25, 26.

"Jesus had convinced her that He read the secrets of her life; yet she felt that He was her friend, pitying and loving her. While the very purity of His presence condemned her sin, He had spoken no word of denunciation, but had told her of His grace, that could renew the soul." Desire of Ages, p. 189.

3. Do we have a record of Jesus ever revealing Himself in this way to the Pharisees?

"I thank thee, 0 Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." Matthew 11:25.

"The plain statement made by Christ to this woman could not have been made to the self-righteous Jews. . . . That which had been withheld from the Jews, and which the disciples were afterward enjoined to keep secret, was revealed to her."Desire of Ages, p. 190.

4. In what words does the Bible picture Christ's understanding of our pitiful condition?

"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." Psalms 103:13, 14.

V. Christ Kept Alive the Spark of Self-respect

1. How did Christ value the human soul?

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36.

"When one at fault becomes conscious of his error, be careful not to destroy his self-respect." Ministry of Healing, p. 167.

"Most pitiable is the condition of him who is suffering under remorse; he is as one stunned, staggering, sinking into the dust. He can see nothing clearly. The mind is beclouded, he knows not what steps to take. Many a poor soul is misunderstood, unappreciated, full of distress and agony, a lost, straying sheep. He can not find God; yet he has an intense longing for pardon and peace.

"0, let no word be spoken to cause deeper pain: To the soul weary of a life of sin, but knowing not where to find relief, present the compassionate Saviour." Ministry of Healing, p. 168.

VI. The Human Heart Longs to be Understood

1. What expression of Job shows that he longed for his friends to understand rather than to condemn him?

"Miserable comforters are ye all. Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief." Job 16:2-5.

2. How did David express his belief that humanity's sin is that of condemnation?

"Let me not fall into the hand of man." 2 Samuel 24:14, last part.

"The inhumanity of man toward man is our greatest sin. Many think that they are representing the justice of God, while they wholly fail of representing His tenderness and His great love. Often the ones whom they meet with sternness and severity are under the stress of temptation. Satan is wrestling with these souls, and harsh, unsympathetic words discourage them, and cause them to fall a prey to the tempter's power."Ministry of Healing, p. 163.

3. For what did Solomon make request of God?

"Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart." 1 Kings 3:9.

4. Did Solomon's request please God, and did He grant his request?

"And the speech pleased the Lord. . . . And God said unto him, . . . Behold, I have done according to thy words." 1 Kings 3:10-12.

"And remember that if by your spirit or your words you close the door to even one soul, that soul will confront you in the judgment." Gospel Workers, p. 374.

"One drop of gall in it will be poison to the hearer or the reader. Because of that drop of poison, one will discard all your good and acceptable words." Gospel Workers, p. 375.

VII. How to Bring the Tempted Soul to Christ

1. What invitation of Christ are we to extend to the sin-weary heart?

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28.

"And let him that heareth say come." Revelation 22:17.

"Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long for something to supply the need of the soul. Only One can meet that want."Desire of Ages, p. 187.

"Go to Him, saying, 'Lord, my burdens are too heavy for me to carry. Wilt thou bear them for me? I And He will answer: 'I will take them. With everlasting kindness will I have mercy upon thee. I will take your sins, and will give you peace. Banish no longer your self-respect; for I have bought you with the price of My own blood. You are Mine. Your weakened will I will strengthen. Your remorse for sin I will remove."Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 519, 520.

2. What ministry has God committed unto us, instead of that of condemnation? "And hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:18.

"And hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." Verse 19.

“We pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." Verse 20.

Reflection

Since men and women, boys and girls, are not helped by belittling them, condemning them, or denouncing them; shall we not resolve from this time forward to "speak evil of no man," even as God