The Converse of Condemnation

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, “How can these things be?” – John 3:9

The legal, forensic opposite of “Katakrima” (Condemnation) is Dikaiosis, translated in the English as “Justification”. “Katakrima” is “a judicial sentence of condemnation”, and Dikaiosis, is “a judicial declaration of acquittal”. Ideological opposites that they may be, they share a few things in common.

1.      Both words are rare in New Testament usage. “Katakrima” occurs only thrice (Rom 5:16; 5:18; 8:1), and Dikaiosis, is found in only two places (Rom 4:25; 5:18).

2.      As you may have noticed, they both appear only in Romans – the go-to textbook for understanding the concept of salvation.
3.      Both terms are the exclusive prerogatives of a judge in a court of law.

Only God has the right to katakrino (condemn) or dikaioo (acquit). Therefore, give no man, woman, spirit, emotion, voice, vision, revelation or ‘prophecy’ the right to tell you the judicial decision of heaven over your life. That which the Supreme Judge of Heaven has dikaioo, let no man katakrino.

How is all this possible? The answer, interestingly, lies in a popular verse where our two rare Greek words converge: Romans 5:18.

“Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation (Katakrima); even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification (Dikaiosis) of life.

The death of Christ on the Cross for your sins is what bought your Justification. This is how:

There is therefore now no CONDEMNATION to them who are in Christ Jesus, (Rom 8:1)

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.
GREG ELKAN