Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, condemnation refers to the act of declaring someone guilty and subject to punishment. It is a theme that runs throughout Scripture, highlighting the justice of God and the moral accountability of humanity. The conscience plays a crucial role in this process, serving as an internal witness to the righteousness of God's judgments.Biblical Foundation The concept of condemnation is rooted in the holiness and justice of God. In Romans 3:23, the Apostle Paul states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This universal condition of sinfulness places every individual under the potential for divine condemnation. The justice of God demands that sin be addressed, as seen in Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Role of Conscience The conscience is an integral part of the human experience, acting as a moral compass that testifies to the justice of God's condemnation. In Romans 2:14-15, Paul explains, "Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them." This passage illustrates that even those without direct knowledge of God's law have an innate sense of right and wrong, which aligns with the divine standard. The conscience serves as a witness to God's justice, affirming the validity of His condemnation of sin. Conscience and Conviction The conscience not only testifies to the justice of condemnation but also plays a role in convicting individuals of their need for repentance. In John 8:9, during the account of the woman caught in adultery, it is noted that those who accused her were "convicted by their own conscience" and left one by one. This demonstrates how the conscience can lead individuals to recognize their own sinfulness and the just nature of God's judgments. Conscience and the Believer For believers, the conscience continues to play a vital role in spiritual growth and sanctification. In 1 Timothy 1:5, Paul emphasizes the importance of a "pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith." A clear conscience is essential for maintaining a right relationship with God and others, as it aligns one's actions with the moral and ethical teachings of Scripture. Warnings Against a Seared Conscience Scripture also warns against the danger of a seared or hardened conscience, which can lead to a state of moral insensitivity and further condemnation. In 1 Timothy 4:1-2, Paul warns that "in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron." A seared conscience no longer responds to the conviction of sin, making repentance and reconciliation with God more difficult. Conclusion The conscience is a God-given faculty that testifies to the justice of divine condemnation. It serves as an internal witness to the moral law written on the hearts of all people, convicting them of sin and pointing them toward the need for redemption through Jesus Christ. The role of the conscience underscores the fairness of God's judgments and the universal need for His grace and mercy. Torrey's Topical Textbook Job 9:20If I justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. Torrey's Topical Textbook Romans 2:1 Titus 3:11 Library The Sinner Stripped of his Vain Pleas. Remorse and Suicide of Judas. Two Things to be Observed in Gratuitous Justification. Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam, the Whole Human Race Made ... An Examination of the Treatise of William Perkins Concerning the ... Of Christian Liberty. Another Mode of Justification Regeneration the Work of God. All Mankind Guilty; Or, Every Man Knows More than He Practises. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans Resources What are indulgences and plenary indulgences and is the concept biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Tatian of Adiabene? | GotQuestions.org Does God punish us when we sin? | GotQuestions.org Condemnation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Condemnation of the Wicked, an Example Condemnation: According to Men's Deserts Condemnation: Apostates Ordained To Condemnation: Chastisements are Designed to Rescue Us From Condemnation: Conscience Testifies to the Justice of Condemnation: Increased by Hypocrisy Condemnation: Increased by Impenitence Condemnation: Increased by Oppression Condemnation: Increased by Pride Condemnation: Increased by Unbelief Condemnation: Inseparable Consequence of Sin Condemnation: Saints are Delivered From, by Christ Condemnation: The Law is the Ministration of Condemnation: The Law Testifies to the Justice of Condemnation: The Sentence of God Against Sin Condemnation: Unbelievers Remain Under Condemnation: Universal, Caused by the Offense of Adam Related Terms Transgression (70 Occurrences) Licentiousness (10 Occurrences) Lasciviousness (9 Occurrences) |
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