To condemn or condemnation are harsh words that bring up negative thoughts in our minds. They mean to pronounce guilty and (pass) sentence (according to Chamber's concise dictionary). In the spiritual realm, the word condemn has meaning for eternity. Vine's expository dictionary explains that the Greek work "Krima" denotes (a) the sentence pronounced, a verdict, a condemnation, and the decision resulting from an investigation and (b) the process leading to a decision. Another Greek word "Krisis" denotes (a) "the process of investigation and the act of distinguishing and separating, hence a judging, a passing of judgement upon a person or thing," and (b) "sometimes it has the meaning of 'condemnation' and is virtually equivalent to krima".
Peter wrote that judgment has begun at the house of God and he uses the word krima (I Pet. 4:17). Jesus spoke of judgment and the word krisis in Greek was used to convey His meaning (Matt. 23:33). He was speaking to the scribes and Pharisees and warned about the "condemnation of hell." The words condemn and condemnation occur about 65 times in both testaments of the Bible. Words like judge, judgment occur hundreds of times. Jesus spoke about judging and condemnation in the book of John. He stated: "and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation". In the KJ Bible, 'damnation' is used where the NKJ uses 'condemnation and some translation use the more neutral word 'judgment in this verse.' Jesus was given the authority to execute judgment because He is the Son of Man (verse 27). It is sobering to read these words and they ought to give a person a strong reason for self-examination.
Some in the modern Christian world have decided that there is no condemnation or damnation at all. The teaching is that the death and sacrifice made by the Father in sending His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die for mankind has removed any guilt or reason for judgment no matter what a person does in their life. One evangelist recently spoke strongly about the account of a woman being caught in adultery and being brought before Jesus to be stoned. It is an interesting account because the scribes and Pharisees specifically brought the woman to Jesus to see what He would say about the sentence of Moses of death by stoning. One would wonder where the man was since she was caught in the act, but their purpose was to try and catch Jesus in something that they could use to accuse Him. In this beautiful account, Jesus knowing exactly what they were thinking, seemed at first to ignore them and finally simply said: "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." There was something very special about Jesus, because humans have a great ability to shut their eyes to their own sin, but in this case, slowly, one by one the accusers left. Then Jesus turned to the woman to ask if anyone had condemned her and she said "no one" whereupon Jesus said: "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." (John 8:3-11). The speaker joyfully used this account to state that no matter what we do, we cannot be condemned. It is a little shocking to know that since Adam and Eve, God responded with great anger and fury at times against the sins people committed. Finally, He sent Jesus "not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:16,17). There is a great error in understanding in thinking that God no longer condemns a person for their sins. That is a fatal error that requires some deep thought.
When Peter wrote about the judgment that had already begun in the body of Christ or church, he also cautioned strongly that if the righteous are "scarcely saved" then the ungodly and sinners have no chance (I Pet. 4:18). Also in the account of the woman, the admonition to her was to "go and sin no more." Clearly one's actions were to be carefully examined in light of the forgiveness God offers. When Jesus was sent to save this world, God did not offer an ironclad promise of eternal life to everyone no matter if they are evil and sinful. He sent Christ so that the possibility of salvation would be given. "That the world through him might be saved" where it is obvious that the word "might" clearly shows it is a possibility and not a certainty. The woman was forgiven because she was repentant, and Jesus gave her instruction to go and sin no more. That is the same instruction that is given to Christians. Paul wrote in a clear and powerful way that Christ was sent as a gift from God resulting in justification and not condemnation (Rom. 5:16) and that grace abounded (verse 20). Then Paul went on to say that since grace has been offered, we died to sin and should not live in sin any longer (Rom. 6:1-40). It is clear that we are to go and sin no more. Repentance involved the grateful receiving of the wonderful gift of forgiveness God offers and then knowing the great cost to God, struggling with all our might to never sin again. It is the same message given by the disciples of Jesus Christ at the Pentecost after Jesus left them. Peter said to those who were cut to the heart by the knowledge that they were responsible for the death of Christ, that they were to repent (which means to acknowledge sin and go the opposite way) and be baptized in Jesus' name for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:36-42). They then continued steadfast in the doctrines taught by the disciples. These people were Jews who knew the law of God thoroughly, and recognized the need for a Redeemer and Saviour.
Paul clarified the teachings of the apostles which came from Jesus Christ and he most certainly did not believe that "once saved, always saved" or that no matter what a person did, God understood and washed it away with Jesus' blood. Paul went on to warn converted people strongly by teaching them that once they had accepted the forgiveness of God in Christ and then they would fall away into some sin that would again require repentance, it would be impossible for them to be renewed (Heb. 6:4-8). His lesson was that if the result of or product of conversion brought bad fruit, it would be rejected and would be burned. Jesus later inspired John to write words of caution to the 7 churches which were in Asia (Rev. 2,3). These were baptized members who had begun to "go and sin no more" when they had been forgiven. They were clearly in danger if they lost their zeal, fell back to sexual sin or idolatry or any other form of sin. The danger was death in the lake of fire (Rev. 2:11). Condemnation is real and it does exist. The gift of forgiveness was costly to God and must be treasured by all who accept that gift. It does not give us the right to simply live as we please because God "understands" our many needs and weaknesses and will not judge and condemn us because Jesus' death has supposedly cancelled the commandments of God that define sin. The problem is that God truly does understand us. God knows that we humans will take the wide and easy road given the chance (Matt. 7:13-17). He knows that Satan is our enemy, and God demands that we resist Satan and anything that is evil which emanates from Satan (I Pet. 5:6-10). At our resistance, Satan must leave. Our resistance to sin as defined by God is what allows His nature to grow within (2 Pet. 1:1-4). The nature of God is to hate sin and evil. Peter was always concerned that people would be led away with the error of the wicked (2 Pet. 3:17).
Judgment is a process that could lead to condemnation. God wants everyone to be saved, He knows that all who refuse and turn away will have to be condemned to death for all eternity (Rev. 20:13-15). Never let Satan lead you against God as he did Adam and Eve, saying "you shall not surely die" (Gen. 3:4). Satan is a liar.