Condemnation

In the Christian theological context, condemnation refers to the judgment and declaration of guilt upon an individual due to sin. The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and as a result, are subject to condemnation. This state of condemnation is a consequence of the original sin inherited from Adam, as well as personal sins committed by individuals.

The Apostle Paul writes extensively about condemnation in his epistles. In Romans 5:18 , he states, "So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men." Here, Paul contrasts the condemnation that came through Adam with the justification available through Jesus Christ. The law, given through Moses, further highlights human sinfulness and the resulting condemnation, as it reveals the holy standards of God that humanity fails to meet (Romans 7:7-11).

However, the New Testament also presents the good news that through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are no longer under condemnation. Romans 8:1 declares, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This assurance is rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, who bore the penalty of sin and satisfied the demands of divine justice on behalf of believers.

Assurance in the Heart

Assurance in the heart refers to the confidence and certainty that believers have regarding their salvation and standing before God. This assurance is a work of the Holy Spirit, who testifies with the believer's spirit that they are children of God (Romans 8:16). Assurance is not based on human merit or works but on the finished work of Christ and the promises of God.

The Apostle John addresses the theme of assurance in his first epistle, emphasizing the importance of love, obedience, and faith as evidence of genuine faith. In 1 John 3:19-21 , he writes, "And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence: If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God."

This passage highlights that even when believers experience feelings of self-condemnation or doubt, they can find assurance in the knowledge that God is greater than their hearts and knows their true standing before Him. The assurance of salvation is further reinforced by the promises of God, such as the eternal security of believers (John 10:28-29) and the unchanging nature of God's love (Romans 8:38-39).

The doctrine of assurance encourages believers to live confidently in their faith, knowing that their salvation is secure in Christ. It also motivates them to pursue holiness and obedience, not out of fear of condemnation, but out of gratitude for the grace they have received.