“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

-Jesus in John 3:18, NIV

Jesus is condemning, too!

We often make God in our own image or an image we prefer. That image of Jesus is often one where Jesus will condemn no one. This is an idol.

The real Jesus was frank about who is and is not free of condemnation.

Jesus died for the whole world hoping none would be condemned. But the whole world has not chosen to believe in Jesus walking in His ways. Jesus is blunt about what that means:

They are already condemned!

The Apostle Paul gives further commentary on this spiritual reality. In a verse I find extremely comforting as a follower of Christ, he teaches about freedom from spiritual condemnation.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

-Romans 8:1, KJV (emphasis mine)

Is this freedom of condemnation applied to all? No.

The Apostle Paul is clear such freedom is applicable only to those “…in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

I do not think this means we have to live morally perfect lives in order to access such freedom from condemnation. However, I do believe people who are in unrepentant sin ought to expect God’s condemnation.

The author I John 3:6 warns us that anyone in habitual, unrepentant sin is in no way in Christ. By extension, they are not free from God’s condemnation.

Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.

-I John 3:6, NLT

Cheaters–especially religious cheaters–ought to tremble at these spiritual truths. Jesus does not give them a free pass to continue in a lifestyle of lies and adultery. They are not free from His condemnation if they choose that path.

The Jesus they are following is a Jesus of their own making.

A Jesus who does not insist on a turning from sin is NOT the Jesus of the Bible.

Their Jesus is an idol. The real Jesus warns us about coming condemnation if we refuse to follow Him by forsaking our sins.

Now, I do believe the real Jesus is incredibly forgiving. In that sense, Jesus is NOT condemning. As long as we are willing to repent, Jesus’ forgiveness and freedom from condemnation awaits us–cheater and faithful spouse included.

However, the key is not to forget the need to repent!

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*A version of this post ran previously.