“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17
When I was first saved, I sought the Lord about condemnation. He showed me very clearly that I can know if it is Him or if it is not by the method. “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. Jesus always gives a way of escape, a way to turn from what we are doing that is wrong and to know what to do instead (1 Corinthians 10:13). This draws us closer to Him. Condemnation turns us farther away from God. If there is only guilt and condemnation, that is not from God. Jesus is able to explain to us and show us what His will for our life is, and even for each situation, if we are seeking Him. The answers are in the word, but when you search, make sure you see what He was trying to teach people in the situation. He is always trying to get our attention to take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24).
Think of the Prodigal son. We all were similar to the prodigal son at some point (Luke 15:11-32), separated from God. All of us. Every single one of us who received the gift of salvation. Every single one of us before we were saved. While it is true that he who has been forgiven much loves much (Luke 7:47), there still is a point when a true Christian has realized that they are nothing without God, our Creator. Even if they were raised in the church and go to church every Sunday and volunteer and serve God, without the realization that your sins need to be cleansed by His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the dead, there is no reconciliation with God through Jesus. If that is unclear to you, may I suggest going before the throne of God and repenting for that arrogance, asking Him to cleanse your heart from impurities and ask Jesus show you His grace on your life.
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. There are no persons in any corner of the globe who can receive salvation without accepting what Jesus the Christ has done on the cross to reconcile us to God the Father.
Grace is another story. God can and does display His grace to people who may not have accepted Him or who may not yet know Him. He did so to the woman who was about to get stoned (John 8:1-11) He did so to the woman at the well (John 4:6-29). He displayed His grace to Paul who was killing Jesus’ followers. He could’ve struck Paul with lightning and killed him, but instead, he opened his eyes, well, first He blinded him, then He opened his eyes (Acts 4:1-31)
In many other instances, Jesus displayed grace to non-believers, perhaps even Christians-to-be or what we might consider weak Christians. The feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-15), the healing of the man born blind (John 9:1-3), the 10 lepers who were cleansed (Luke 17:10-19) to name just a few in the New Testament. There are many in the Old Testament as well. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8.
We should do the same. We should display that same grace and love. We are representatives of Christ here on earth. We are to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44), display kindness and all the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22&23) as well as be fishers of men (Matthew 4:19). What person would turn to Christ if he were condemned? That is not possible. Condemnation separates us from God. Jesus wants to reconcile us to God.