| January 8th, 2001 - When Kata Met Krima One of the most destructive forces to a relationship is a sense of obligation or guilt being attached to it. As long as Harry and Sally are friends there is a freedom and an openess about sharing and communicating. But let Harry suspect that there are expectations on Sally's part over and above friendship and it becomes something else entirely. The fun, breezy atmosphere which once provided a nurturing environment for the relationship suddely becomes over-shadowed by clouds which seem to limit the freedom so necessary for it to develop and progress. This can happen to even the best of friends. For example if Harry owes Lloyd $20 and can't pay it back when he said he would, he may begin to avoid him. If Lloyd calls and leaves a message on Harry's answering machine, Harry begins to think, "Uh oh. He wants the money I owe him..." Harry neglects to return the phone call. Weeks go by. He sees Lloyd's car at a friend's house and decides to go somewhere else instead. It gets so bad that Harry turns the other way and takes a different route to his class when he sees Lloyd coming down the hallway! Finally, Lloyd corners Harry and says, "Harry! Where have you been? I haven't seen you for weeks! What's been happening in your life?" To which Harry replies, "Lloyd, I'm sorry. I don't have the money I owe you." "Money? What money? Oh yeah, that!? Well, I had forgotten all about it! I just wanted to get together with you..." God understands this about relationships. That is why He removed the sin debt from between Himself and us, by sending Jesus to the cross to pay it off in full. In the book of Romans chapter 8, verse 1, we read the following: "There is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ..." "There is no more nagging voice accusing us of wrong" as one translations puts it. The word for condemnation in this passage is the Greek word KATAKRIMA which is a conjunctive noun made up of two Greek words: KRIMA which means indictment or judgement, and KATA which means a penalty (attached to it). So we could read that verse like so: "There is now therefore no judgement with a penalty attached to it..." Elsewhere in the Bible it is stated: "The time is come that judgement (KRIMA) must begin at the house of God (the church) and if it first begins at us, what shall be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" God's judgements are tempered by His limitless mercy and love and forebearance. There is no penalty attached to the convictions His Holy Spirit places upon us as believers if we seek to remain in the place of fellowship, forgiveness and restoration (in Christ). But outside of that place there is a penalized judgement for both believer and unbeliever alike. God's conviction will always invite you to come to Him. Condemnation and guilt will drive you away from Him, and is not from God. That is satan's plan. He often misrepresents God and makes him out to be a judgemental and harsh tyrannical ruler who wants to keep you from having fun. Or, at the other extreme, as a mamby pamby sugar daddy who doesn't care if you go on living a self-ruled and hurtful lifestyle. God will not tolerate things like hypocrisy, embezzlement, adultery, legalism, selfishness, unfairness, pride and prejudice to continue unchecked in His church. He promises to purge us of all these things if we will respond to the gentle conviction and promptings of His Holy Spirit. Otherwise, He removes the light of His presence and leaves them to their own destructions. Judgement begins at the house of God. Please run to the ark of safety from the flood of judgement. Jesus is your only true escape from the flood. Do not let a sense of guilt keep you from His protective grace, but rather let Him strengthen you and show you His mighty love and power to overcome guilt and sin. Answer God's invitation to come to Christ and escape the endless cycle of guilt manipulation, rejection and rebellion. You will find, as I did, that He is the best friend you will ever have. |