Condemnation vs. Conviction

My pastor friend recently wrote a blog about the detriment of legalism to our lives. Here's the Link He mentioned a few popular books and teachings out that seemingly left people feeling, wrecked or insufficient.  Legalism is a hot topic among my generation for sure.  I grew up AG and if I hadn't known better I would have thought those letters stood for Always Guilty.  Unfortunately the students from my first ministry position probably gathered that from my teaching too! (Sorry guys!) It wasn't until my mid to late twenties that I had any real concept of Amazing Grace - maybe the next generation will say that's what they think AG stands for! Let it be!

 Have you ever left a church service or time with Christians feeling beat down or overwhelmed because of what you heard?  I certainly hope not, but I'm afraid there are many who would answer yes to this question.  Granted I did just read this morning about the rich young ruler who walked away from Jesus with his head down because he just couldn't stomach making the commitment to follow Christ. But I think the difference there is it wasn't because of what Christ said to him, Christ gave him the good news, actually he gave him GREAT news, "You can have eternal life!" The RYR was sad because he was now making a conscience choice to walk away from the truth and the reality of what that meant was sinking in.  Which is good reason to be sad.

I was fortunate enough to do one of my graduate practicums at Evangel University working in their counseling department.  Many of my clients were wrestling with their faith and on the verge of walking away un-Attainable Grace, they were after all, Always Guilty.  I took my dilemma to my wonderful supervisor Brian Upton and he gave me this sheet, that I've been handing out ever since.  I think it should be handed out to everyone.  It's truly GOOD NEWS.


Condemnation drives you down to be less; Conviction calls you up to be MORE.

Condemnation instills hopelessness; Conviction instills HOPE.

Condemnation drives you to self-pity; Conviction calls you to REPENTANCE.

Condemnation drives you to inactivity; Conviction calls you to ACTION.

Condemnation drives you away from God.  Worship, prayers, Bible study are difficult and uncomfortable.  Conviction calls you closer to God.  We are drawn to worship, prayer, & Bible study. 

Condemnation focuses on the problems.  Problems and conflicts get bigger.  Conviction focuses on solutions.  Problems grow strangely dim and conflicts get resolved. 

Condemnation drives you guilt and bondage; Conviction calls you toward FREEDOM.

Condemnation drives you into stress and anxiety; Conviction calls you towards PEACE.

Condemnation is based on rules, regulations, laws, & legalism; Conviction is based on RELATIONSHIPS.

Condemnation is usually past oriented; Conviction is usually future oriented.

Condemnation causes us to hide; Conviction causes us to be open and honest.

Condemnation is authored by satan; Conviction is authored by the Holy Spirit.  

I'm guessing when we are speaking from ourselves, from our flesh, if you will, condemnation likely spews out.  Thank God for the Holy Spirit; John 16:8 reminds me it's His job not MINE to convict, so I pray to be full of Him, because if I'm not then it means I'm full of something else! 

John 3:17:  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.