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What does condemnation mean?

MisterE

Member
I have intentionally made the topic rather vague to bring out the two aspects of condemnation. There are two, distinct condemnations mentioned in Scripture. The first condemnation is called 'positional' condemnation. This is given to each person born into the world. In other words, it is the condemnation of being "in Adam." See Romans 5 for the contrast between Christ and Adam's positional truth. God condemns each person who enters this world with positional condemnation (i.e., in Adam). With this positional condemnation, we are immediately born qualified to be the recipients of God's grace and mercy. This is illustrated in Rom 11.32.

The other condemnation is 'eternal' condemnation. This is what happens when a person rejects Christ as Savior, see Matt 12.37. A person is eternally condemned by rejecting Jesus as Savior. It is by his words that he is condemned. The important thing to remember is nobody is born eternally condemned, only positional condemnation. As an illustration of this, see 2 Sam 12. David's new born child died and went to Paradise. This is why David says he will see his son again, because there is no basic for the child's eternal condemnation, only positional condemnation.

Another important point to bring out is that unbelievers are not eternally condemned for their personal sins. All sins were paid for by Christ on the Cross. That is why the gospel is the good news to unbelievers. The issue is no longer sin, but a Son. Go to any judgment passage for believers or unbelievers, you will not see the word sin mentioned. For the believer, he goes to the Rewards Ceremony (mistranslated Judgment Seat of Christ) after being rewarded for his works. For the unbeliever, he goes to the Lake of Fire based on his works (his works will not get him into heaven). Not by works of righteousness which we have done...
 
Another important point to bring out is that unbelievers are not eternally condemned for their personal sins. All sins were paid for by Christ on the Cross.

Only those who repent are forgiven their sins.

Yes Jesus paid for all sins but only those obey the Gospel are saved.

  • with the mouth confession is made unto salvation

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation…
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?”
Romans 10:9-10,16
 
Only those who repent are forgiven their sins.
My contention is that Christ paid for all sins, and that payment is not contingent of human response. The unbeliever's sins have been paid for and no unbeliever is eternally condemned because of their personal sins. In fact, 2 Peter 2.1 tells us that the unbelievers have been bought with the blood of Christ. The payment of the sins of unbelievers does not equate to Salvation. Salvation is based on accepting or rejecting Christ.
 
The unbeliever's sins have been paid for
Why are unbeliever's condemned if all their sins have been paid for?

no unbeliever is eternally condemned
If God the Great I AM knows for all eternity an unbeliever is condemned, how is it you can say God is incorrect for always believing the unbeliever is condemned? When did God approve of the unbeliever. (Definition of condemn: To express strong disapproval of)
 
Why are unbeliever's condemned if all their sins have been paid for?


If God the Great I AM knows for all eternity an unbeliever is condemned, how is it you can say God is incorrect for always believing the unbeliever is condemned? When did God approve of the unbeliever. (Definition of condemn: To express strong disapproval of)
Please read my OP (#1) above. your question is answered.
 
My contention is that Christ paid for all sins, and that payment is not contingent of human response.

That payment for sin is absolutely contingent upon the human response of obedience.

Only those who repent will be saved.

Believing the Gospel is obeying the Gospel.

Believe and obey are used interchangeably in scripture.

And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Hebrews 5:9

  • He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him

Eternal salvation is only for those who obey Him.



JLB
 
Both of the statements are true. Not sure what you are asking. Sorry
The statements I quoted are not both true. They contradict each other.

The statement that says sinner are condemned is correct.
The statement that says sinners are not condemned is incorrect.
 
person is eternally condemned by rejecting Jesus as Savior. It is by his words that he is condemned
This is a true statement.

that unbelievers are not eternally condemned for their personal sins
Make up your mind is Jesus correct or are you correct and Jesus is wrong!

This statement is also true.
Are these the two statements you are saying contradict each other? Sorry again for not following you. Please reply with both statements in your post so I can comment on it.
 
JLB

Eternal salvation is only for those who obey Him.

Only the saved regenerated can do that,obey God. Man by nature is under the control of a spirit of disobedience, so not able to obey Eph 2:1-3

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

So as long as we are in nature, we are disobedient, its our nature and enslavement.
 
JLB



Only the saved regenerated can do that,obey God. Man by nature is under the control of a spirit of disobedience, so not able to obey Eph 2:1-3

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

So as long as we are in nature, we are disobedient, its our nature and enslavement.

The unsaved become saved by believing the Gospel message of salvation. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for a person to believe.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16
 
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