Rom. 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Phil. 2:12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
One of the saddest things that I have observed over the years are leaders using guilt and condemnation to manipulate people to walk with God. Of course this is such a deception from the enemy, because wants the love of Christ to control us, not guilt. It brings no pleasure to His lovesick heart for us to offer, in response to His love, a guilt offering of obedience and service. What about these two verses? They seem to contradict each other, yet we know that God isn’t confused, or have a divided heart and mind. The fact is, there is no condemnation for those in Christ. God isn’t that small and petty. Who wants to have a relationship with someone who does all they do, in response to you, out of the fear of rejection. That’s called slavery, not love. Yet Phil 2:12 talks about working out our salvation with fear and trembling. How does that fit with the no condemnation thing. Hebrews speaks of our life in Christ as “so great a salvation. 1Cor. 2:9 says, but just as it is written,
“THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,
AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN,
ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”
The fear and trembling isn’t about rejection; it’s about having a clear vision of all the relationship, and all the awesome things we have In Christ, and not wanting to position ourselves where The Holy Spirit can’t release all of that into our daily experience. It’s like being given a handful of the most expensive and thus the most valuable diamonds in history (all the spiritual blessings in the Heavenly places, that are ours In Christ) to carry around in our pocket, to draw from, and therefore making sure there are no holes in our pockets. It’s the fear of missing out on all the fun.