The concept of condemnation in the Bible is intricately linked to the holiness and justice of God, as well as the sinfulness of humanity. It is a theme that underscores the gravity of sin and the necessity of divine judgment. The call of God to condemnation is not arbitrary but is rooted in His righteous character and the moral order He has established.

Biblical Foundation

Condemnation is first introduced in the context of the Fall in Genesis. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they brought sin into the world, resulting in spiritual death and separation from God. This act of disobedience led to the condemnation of all humanity, as Paul explains in Romans 5:12, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned."

The Law given to Moses further elucidates the standards of righteousness and the consequences of failing to meet them. In Deuteronomy 27:26, it is written, "Cursed is he who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out." This curse signifies the condemnation that comes from breaking God's commandments.

The Role of the Law

The Law serves as a mirror, reflecting the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man. Romans 3:20 states, "Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin." The Law reveals human inability to achieve righteousness on their own, thus highlighting the inevitability of condemnation apart from divine intervention.

The Prophets and Condemnation

The prophets of the Old Testament frequently called the people of Israel to repentance, warning them of impending judgment due to their persistent sin and idolatry. Isaiah 59:2 declares, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." The prophetic messages often included both a call to repentance and a pronouncement of condemnation for those who refused to turn back to God.

New Testament Revelation

In the New Testament, the theme of condemnation is further developed through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus Himself spoke of condemnation in John 3:18, "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." Here, condemnation is linked to the rejection of Christ, the only means of salvation.

Paul's epistles expound on the doctrine of condemnation, particularly in Romans. Romans 8:1 offers hope, stating, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This verse highlights the transformative power of faith in Christ, which removes the believer from the realm of condemnation.

Eternal Condemnation

The ultimate expression of condemnation is eternal separation from God, often referred to as hell. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 25:46, "And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." The final judgment, as depicted in Revelation 20:12-15, describes the fate of those whose names are not found in the Book of Life, emphasizing the eternal nature of condemnation for the unrepentant.

Conclusion

The call of God to condemnation serves as a sobering reminder of His holiness and justice. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a Savior. While condemnation is a reality for those outside of Christ, the gospel offers the hope of redemption and reconciliation with God through faith in Jesus Christ.John 12:48
He that rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 2:1-3
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 12:25
See that you refuse not him that speaks. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Eighth Sunday after Trinity Living in the Spirit as God's Children ...
... love to him; he would always remain in fear and dread of wrath and condemnation,
and, because of such doubt, would flee from God, not daring to call upon him. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/eighth sunday after trinity living.htm

Moreover, if Sorcerers Call Forth Ghosts, and Even Make what Seem ...
... out as gods would never willingly call themselves demons ... Word, the Reason, the Wisdom,
and the Son of God? ... them at least the mark of ignominy and condemnation. ...
/.../tertullian/apology/chapter xxiii moreover if sorcerers.htm

His Name --The Mighty God
... the Son of God; if he were not so, his condemnation for blasphemy ... As often as we
profess the doctrine of election, we call Christ the mighty God; as often ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/his namethe mighty god.htm

To Cledonius the Priest against Apollinarius. (Ep. Ci. )
... or the assumption of Flesh, as they call it ... If it was in order that God, otherwise
incomprehensible ... it was that He might destroy the condemnation by sanctifying ...
/.../select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/to cledonius the priest against.htm

The Lack of Prayer
... in all things, may abound to all good work." Do let us believe that God's call to
much prayer need not be a burden and cause of continual self-condemnation. ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter i the lack of.htm

The Trial at Caesarea
... Tertullus knew that his flattering words were untrue, but their desire to secure
the condemnation of Paul ... Never was he to receive another call from God. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 39 the trial at.htm

The vineyard and Its Keepers
... to Jesus was mainly because He would call on them ... terms on which they hold it, and
of God's desire for ... We have next the self-condemnation from unwilling lips. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the vineyard and its keepers.htm

God in the Covenant
... peculiar with regard to his children, for to them the condemnation sentence shall
never ... Furthermore, the Christian can call God his God, from the fact of his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/god in the covenant.htm

Argument. --That God Also Appeared to Jacob as an Angel; Namely ...
... although it was found the stronger, in respect of the condemnation of Christ ... the
same divine Scripture justly does not cease to call the Angel God, and to ...
/.../chapter xix argument that god also.htm

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
... calling it a ministration, or doctrine, of death and condemnation. What term
significant of greater abomination could he apply to God's Law than to call it a ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twelfth sunday after trinity gospel.htm

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Call: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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