Forgiven or Condemned?

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post called Daughters of Sarah on how in the Christian arena, the woman has still not found her voice as much as God intended them to have in the first place. I also briefly mentioned the atrocities committed against women in society even today.

A lot has happened socially and judicially since that post was written. One of the most discussed events was the death sentence awarded to the men convicted in the infamous Delhi gang rape case. And in the past few days, a so-called ‘God Man’ was arrested on the accusation of sexual abuse by a victimised follower.

The day the court declared the death punishment in the Delhi gang rape case, reactions started pouring in from all over the world. Family members of the victim found some ‘consolation’ from the fact that justice was served. The whole nation condemned the convicted saying they received what they deserved. So also, in regards to the ‘God Man’, the trial is still in progress but we, and I consciously say ‘we’ as I am included in this as well, as a society and a nation have already condemned them in our hearts. Yes Christians included, most of us have already written him off as deserving of a severe sentence.

Now I know I might receive a lot of criticism for what I am about to write. As Christians, the Bible teaches us to love a person just as he is; to forgive and not to judge. Forgiveness and love are the foundation of Christianity. What we can learn from the Cross is that we were not condemned and crucified for our wrongdoings (Click to Tweet).  This is in no way an attempt to diminish the gravity of the crime committed or the punishment given. Whenever a law is broken, there will be consequences. According to the law of the land, people have been and will be punished for violating the law.

While in conversation with a few friends on Whatsapp, a brother encouraged the group to pray for the ones convicted and their families. It was then that I was reminded that I had no business judging them. I realised that because of our emotions we have condemned these people to an extent of even hating them. But, would Jesus do the same? Has He taught us to do this? The answer is a big NO.

Jesus was called a friend of sinners and tax collectors by His critics. He sat with the outcasts of society. He ate with them, visited their homes. As much as He hated sin, He did not hate the sinner. He hated the crime, but He surely died for the criminal. Jesus demonstrated this love for all of us through His death on the cross of Calvary. Moreover, He prayed for those who killed Him saying, “Father Forgive them, as they don’t know what they are doing”.

The Bible says in 1 John 1:7-9, “7But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.

I want to urge you my friends through this post, let us not condemn. Let us not judge. We should remind ourselves that we are people who have received mercy and grace. We have received forgiveness so let us forgive.

I believe with all my heart if the ones convicted of these crimes, in all honesty of heart, repent of their sins then God will forgive them and the blood of Jesus will cleanse them white as snow. Yes, they will have to pay the price for their wrong doings on this earth, but they will be received into eternity with gladness.

There is hope for everybody in Christ Jesus. His love for us is greater than any crime we might have ever committed. He does not condemn us. Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”.

It’s difficult to forgive somebody whose actions have caused us pain. It’s painful to let go. We find ourselves unable to forgive. But for such times God gives us strength because it takes a strong person to forgive. Ask God for strength to forgive and He will grant it to you.

And for them who are fighting with the guilt of something you did, however dark it might have been, God still loves you and Jesus died on the cross to show it. Repent of your sin and ask for His forgiveness and let Him into your heart. The best part is God just doesn’t forgive us our sins, He does not even remember them. Live in freedom in Jesus name!

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