Wednesday, November 6, 2013

THE SOLUTION FOR CONDEMNATION: YOU!

The English word "condemnation" appears only twelve times in the New Testament, and yet it is translated as such from five different Greek words:
 
*  κατάκριμα (katakrima), meaning "a damning sentence" (Rom. 5:16, 18; 8:1).
*  κατάκρισις (katakrisis), meaning "condemnation" (2 Cor. 3:9).
*  κρίμα (krima), meaning "a sentence" (Lk. 23:40; 1 Cor. 11:34; Ti. 3:6; Jam. 3:1; Jud. 1:4).
*  κρίσις (krisis), meaning "a judgment" (Jn. 3:19; 5:24).
*  ὑπόκρισις (hypokrisis), meaning "hypocrisy" (Jam. 5:12).

While the last definition seems to be inconsistent with the other four, I believe it may be the most revealing of all.  It implies that the person, who has been judicially condemned, knows his fate and chooses to live as though he is ignorant of his state, or that he does not care about his pending doom.

Is there at least a hint from the other four Greek terms, that would indicate the condemned person is awareness of his condition?  Yes.  The thief on the cross knew he was condemned (Lk. 23:40).  Man is clearly aware in that he prefers to live under cover of darkness (Jn. 3:19-21).  The fact that the whole world is religious, indicates that man is aware that he has a sin nature (Rom. 5:16-18).  The Law makes man aware that he is a sinner, condemned, and in need of a Savior (2 Cor. 3:7-9).

So, if the condemned person knows his state, how did he come to awareness?  The answer is found in a passage in the Gospel of John:

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.  And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  of sin, because they believe not on Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged" (Jn. 16:7-11).

If the whole world is brought to conviction that they are sinners, condemned without a Savior, how does the Holy Spirit do that?  With the Word of God.  The Apostle Paul explained it in his letter to the Christians living in Galatia:  "But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe" (Gal. 3:22).  The Lord does it by the foolishness of the preaching of His Word (1 Cor. 1:21).  Romans 10:13-17 tells us that those who proclaim God's Word, are providing the lost with what is necessary for them to be saved:  faith!

Proverbs 11:30 - "...he that winneth souls is wise!"
      
   

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