Condemnation vs. Conviction

What is condemnation?

Condemnation is showing you the problem, but avoiding the solution.

Jesus did NOT come to condemn the world (). There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus ().

What is conviction?

Conviction is known in the Bible as Godly sorrow. God's Word tells us that Godly sorrow is what leads us to repentance ().

What is condemnation?

Conviction shows you the answer to your problem. Conviction shows you the blood of Jesus that wipes away your sins!

What is the difference?

Conviction shows you the answer (the Blood of Jesus, which washes away sin), while condemnation shows you the problem (the sin, the past and your failures).

Condemnation draws out the matter and is long lasting, while conviction tells you to repent and then not look back.

Peter

Peter’s Claim -

Luke 22:54–62 ESV

Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Boasts - ()

Peter told Jesus that he was ready both to die and to go to prison for Jesus. In some of the other accounts he told Jesus that he would never leave or forsake him.

Peter was a very confident and driven person

You can see a true desire to follow Christ

Imagine how he would feel if he actually denied Christ

Explain events up until the denial

Denial - ()

Matthew 26:69-75

Not only was Peter denying Christ, he was calling out judgment on his own head.

Essentially he was saying, “may I God’s divine judgment be on me if I’m lying!”

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 26

a call for divine judgment if the oath-taker is lying.

, - The Lord looks at Jesus

Imagine having walked with Jesus for 3 years (list some events)

What do you think Peter saw when he looked into the eyes of Jesus?

Imagine that your last interaction with a man that you had been devoted to following and laying your life down for was looking into his eyes as you had denied him.

Imagine you witnessed his trial and death

Imagine the thoughts that Peter might have had

I’m a failure

I’m not worthy of him

I’m beyond help

What do you think Peter saw when he looked into the eyes of Jesus?

There was conviction in the heart of Peter

Redemption - () (Read 21:4-7 first)

Peters response to Jesus ()

Its very important to see that Peter still ran to Jesus

Remember

This is the first time Jesus indirectly addresses Peter’s denial

Two things to realize:

The Lords commission (vs.15-17)

Jesus hadn’t given up on Peter, he still had plans to use him

You can hear the repentance and love in Peters voice

Boasts

Judas

Denial - ()

This wasn’t just a rash decision, Judas was actively looking for a way to deny Jesus.

We all know the story of how he led the soldiers and priests to where Jesus was and then revealed who Jesus was by kissing his cheek.

Judas had a similar response to that of Peter, but it was little different

Regret - ()

I believe that if Judas would have repented that forgiveness would have been available

Vs. 3 He changed his mind, but didn’t have a change of heart

Vs. 4,5 Notice that their was regret not repentance

Judas regretted what he had done, but instead of seeking forgiveness for his actions, he tried to escape guilt by taking his own life

Condemnation will lead you to simply regret your actions without seeking the necessary forgiveness for your actions.

In the end Judas could not live with his regret so instead of running to the forgiveness that was available to him, he chose to pay the penalty himself and he took his own life.

talks about the woman caught in adultery

Woman in Adultery - ()

Jesus did NOT come to condemn the world (). There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus ().

Just because grace and forgiveness are available doesn’t mean that we can live how we want and take advantage of grace.

Condemnation is showing you the problem, but avoiding the solution.

Jesus did NOT come to condemn the world (). There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus ().

What is conviction?

Conviction is known in the Bible as Godly sorrow. God's Word tells us that Godly sorrow is what leads us to repentance ().

Not only is God willing to forgive your sins, but He longs (deeply desires) to do so! , "Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him." (NASB)

, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness."

, "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"

Conviction shows you the answer to your problem. Conviction shows you the blood of Jesus that wipes away your sins!

What is the difference?

Conviction shows you the answer (the Blood of Jesus, which washes away sin), while condemnation shows you the problem (the sin, the past and your failures).

Condemnation draws out the matter and is long lasting, while conviction tells you to repent and then not look back.

Condemnation draws out the matter and is long lasting, while conviction tells you to repent and then not look back.