No Condemnation in His Presence
February 2010
Dear Friend,
What words can describe the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ? There is no sweeter love.
Can I be honest? This morning my mind was swirling with worries and cares. Some very real and some unfounded creations of an overactive imagination. The mind is like that. It can create mountains out of mole hills.
I realize we are exhorted in God’s word to set our minds only on true, noble, lovely and praiseworthy thoughts (Phil 4:8). No matter how dire the situation, Jesus is in control and is the answer to our need. As I sat trying to pray, my mind turned to condemnation. "Who do you think you are trying to worship the Lord when you can’t even control the worries in your own mind? Just quit and go back to sleep!"
Friend, have you ever experienced this in your own life? In that moment I said, "Lord, I don’t deserve Your love and presence, but I really need You.... now." You know what? Sure enough, our best friend, the Holy Spirit, came with His beautiful presence, revealing Jesus’ love afresh to me. It wasn’t long before a beautiful love song from Jesus was flowing from my lips. What indescribable joy! I was ready to face the day with joy, creativity and victory.
You and I can enjoy this sweet fellowship every day with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. It is the accuser of the brethren who tells us we are not worthy or good enough to come into God’s presence. Satan knows the source of our victory and would love nothing more than for us to turn away because of condemnation.
Whether you face large or small condemnation, bring it to Jesus. Jesus told the prostitute, "I do not condemn you, go and sin no more" (John 8:11). Before you and I can live a life free from sin, we need to hear from Jesus, "I do not condemn you" . Out of that reassurance of His love and acceptance, we can and will live a life of victory and service to the Lord!
Catch this Friend,
I believe Jesus Himself lived on earth by this same revelation. Remember he was fully God and fully man. What could I possibly be referring to? Look at Matthew chapters three and four. In chapter three verse 16 and 17 we see the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus, and a voice from heaven declare Jesus, God’s beloved Son. I believe that this was the ministry of the Holy Spirit revealing the fullness of the love of the Father to Jesus the man.
Immediately after this revelation, in chapter four, we see Jesus led into the wilderness to face some serious temptations. There Satan tempted Jesus to sin by attacking the very revelation of the love of the Father. Satan said, "If you are the Son of God". However, Jesus’ response in verse four indicates His source of power over temptation. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." What was that word? Look at the word of God spoken only four verses earlier. "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Jesus overcame through the revelation that He was God’s beloved.
Then we see further on in verse 17, "From that time Jesus began to preach". Prior to this time we do not see any recorded miracles or ministry by Jesus. From this point forward Jesus’ life is full of miracles.
What a sequence of events.
a) The Holy Spirit revealed the love of the Father, and Jesus’ son-ship.
b) Through that revelation, Jesus overcame temptation.
c) Jesus began his ministry and saw many miracles.
If Jesus needed a revelation of the Father’s love for Him before overcoming temptation and beginning a victorious life of ministry, how much more do you and I need this revelation! Looking back to my own experience this morning, how foolish it was for me to think that I should first correct my own errant thoughts so that I would realize God’s presence in my prayer time. No, once the Holy Spirit came and revealed His love afresh, my thoughts became whole without any effort on my own. As a result I lived a life of victory that day. See the pattern?
Romans 8:15 confirms the Holy Spirit is doing the same today. "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.’" The Holy Spirit declares we are God’s beloved children. We are accepted and loved!
Friend, each month I write with updates from Israel, and the ministries we are supporting. Together we give our very best gifts to the Gospel in Israel. This month is no exception. Their incredible work continues.
What I find amazing is that God tells us how to give. CHEERFULLY. Not out of condemnation, guilt or obligation... but cheerfully (2 Cor 9:7). Personally, I have found that cheerfulness to give has come out of the fellowship I have with Jesus through the Spirit. There is no condemnation in His presence, only strength to do what is right.
Before deciding what to give this month, enter His presence and allow the joy of the Lord to be your motivator. Then, do what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.
Thank you! We look forward to hearing from you. You can use the donation page to give your gift.
Blessings in Christ,
Nathan Thurber
PS. Take a look at this brief report from one of the missionaries we support in Israel.