Topic: Jesus Frees You from Judgment [RICK WARREN Devotional 26 March 2021]
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Jesus Frees You from Judgment
“Those who hear my words and believe in him who sent me have eternal life. They will not be judged.”
John 5:24 (GNT)Have you ever imagined something like this? It’s the day of judgment. You’re standing outside the gates of heaven in a really long line. You slowly move forward, one step at a time.
As you get closer, you start to sweat and wonder, “Am I going to get in? Am I going to make it? Is God going to use a giant TV screen to show every stupid or evil thing I’ve ever done? Will my every sin be exposed?”
I have good news for you. The Bible says that those who believe in Jesus—his death and Resurrection—will not be judged (John 3:18). Jesus has promised you that.
In other words, when you get to heaven, Jesus will greet you with open arms. He’ll welcome you home because, as a believer, you belong to the family of God.
Jesus’ death and Resurrection release you from judgment. Is that good news? Oh, yeah!
When my friend Buddy was a child, his Sunday school teacher taught him God was sitting in heaven, writing down every bad thing that he ever did.
She made the class sing a song every week that went, “My Lord is writing all the time. Writing, writing, writing all the time.”
Buddy said, “It scared me. I just thought, ‘I’m never going to make it to heaven. My list is getting longer and longer.’”
Is that the way God treats you when put your faith in Christ? No! In fact, God is erasing, erasing, erasing all the time. Forgiving, forgiving, forgiving all the time. He’s sitting in heaven, hitting the “delete” button.
How do I know this? The Bible says: “God is love” (1 John 4:8 GNT), and love “keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV).
If you put your trust in Jesus Christ and his love, your sins are wiped away. God’s judgment is no longer something you need to fear. Because of Jesus’ death and Resurrection, you’re free from judgment.
- How do Christ’s death and Resurrection change how you view God’s judgment?
- If God doesn’t keep a record of wrongs, why is it important to try to do the right thing?
There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus
The Bible says in John 3:18 that those who believe in Jesus—his death and Resurrection—will not be judged. Romans 8:1 says it in a different way: “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 NLT).
If you’re ready to accept that promise, to stop fearing God’s judgment, and to commit your life to Jesus, then pray this prayer:
“Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, and I will learn the purpose of my life. Instead of judging me, you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.
“I confess my sin, and I believe you are God, my Savior. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Thank you that I don’t have to earn it, deserve it, or work for it. It is your gift of grace.
“Today I’m turning over every part of my life to you. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to you, and I ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”