No Condemnation
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)
This verse is key to our ministry. How? Without the condemnation of those who despise the Jesus in us, we are free to express our faith without looking over our shoulders, thwarting the evil expressed through others. This is vital.
Jesus said of those who do not accept the gospel, we are to shake the dust off our feet. Why? Because that dust is condemnation which seeks — and often does — weaken us.
We are not to carry a spirit of fear, but of power, love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) but how can we do that when we are battling the rejection and sorrow of those who reject us, reject Jesus in us, reject and condemn us? It is impossible to placate a spirit of condemnation. We must walk away, walk toward freedom, and accept that some will not accept us as we are and so we must leave them to their own opinion and sadly, to their own condemnation.
Victory for Christ lies in leaving behind all that is not Christ. It may be family, it may be hopes and dreams. But the promise of freedom is sure.
Freedom
Freedom is walking toward Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Freedom is not doing, having or getting what we want. It is not our will but GOD’s will in us that brings us freedom, for there is no gain in receiving merely what we want, but there is much freedom and victory in yielding our will to GOD’s and receiving His deliverance from self. Free will is not my will; it is freedom from my will. Hallelujah!
Salvation is not only for eternity in heaven. It is freedom from fear, in the here and now, freedom from the condemnation and rejection of others. Walk away. It’s alright in God’s eyes that we “give up and leave to Him” the salvation of others. In fact, it is His command.
In Matthew 10:14, speaking to his disciples Jesus says, “And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or that city, shake off the dust from your feet.”
He knew rejection hurts, and to that he said, just shake it off!
Love but Leave
Love others. Love your enemies. Turn the other cheek: Yes. But shake off the dust from those who will not accept the gospel in you. Love from a distance. Your ministry will survive. In fact, it will thrive without the condemnation that often brings with it self-doubt and a deterioration of the confidence so needed to walk the walk of GOD.
Trust GOD in all circumstances
Release those who reject you. Walk away. Test and see what the LORD will bring instead.
In Jesus’ name, I pray we all are able to do this. Amen.