What a masterly, spiritual, wise, amazing, unique, and liberating instruction by the apostle Paul! If it is no longer “I” who do it, then it is obvious that “I” cannot be guilty. This cannot very well be contradicted. Therefore in this regard, I am absolutely innocent. Judging me guilty is just as wrong as punishing an innocent bystander instead of the criminal—something that would be outrageously unrighteous! God does not pass such an unjust judgment even if people do. If “I” had done it (a person consists of spirit, soul, and body), then my mind must have agreed to it. This was formerly the case, but now it is no longer “I” who do it, but sin that dwells in me. In other words, liberation has taken place. With his mind, Paul now served only God’s law. He never again agreed to sin. He never agreed to it when he was tempted to sin. He did not fall in sin. What he now had to judge in his life—what he could not deny that his body had done—was something that his mind and consciousness were not involved in. In Romans 7:17 Paul says that “sin” had done it, and in Romans 8:13 he calls such works “deeds of the body” (as opposed to his works). His body had done them, and their source was unconscious sin that dwelt in him. What an amazing and just explanation! He himself was completely innocent! In simple terms, the result of all this is as if he were one person, while sin and his body were other people. Of course it is self-evident that you first and foremost have to judge the right person and not another, innocent man. To pass sentence on an innocent man and say that he is guilty is an act of cruelty. My dear friend, take this to heart! You wouldn’t want to commit such an act, would you? Unfortunately, it is this very misdeed that people commit everywhere. When Jesus said, “Judge not,” this is the very thing He was referring to. All such judgments and criticisms usually end up by judging and criticizing an innocent person, because it is “someone else” who has done it! You have caught the wrong “person”! More often than not, the one who judges his neighbor is guilty himself! This is therefore an odd situation. The person who judges another is guilty as truly as “judge not” is written in his heart and mind. A person is guilty when he falls in temptation. Otherwise he is as innocent as a lamb. The world is full of strict, critical lords. If they would receive this amazing, liberating, and profitable outlook on life, it would revolutionize the entire world. Then people would be gentle, compliant, friendly, compassionate, and understanding. In the deepest sense of the word, they would be righteous and easy to deal with in the home and in the church, at places of employment, or wherever else you might meet them. The basic understanding is essentially this: We simply cannot be held accountable for the fact that “in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells.” This means that we are absolutely innocent in this regard! However, we are fully responsible for how we react to the gospel of salvation from sin, the gospel of victory over all conscious sin. Our different ways of reacting to a situation, of thinking, speaking, and acting; our different ways of conducting ourselves; our different weak and strong areas; our different view of various matters; and the different stages of development in which we are, etc., present innumerable occasions for sin that (unknown to us) dwells in us to become manifest. This sin impels our body to act without our consent, or without our being able to prevent it from acting. We are innocent! However, if I am without guilt in such instances, then I must also, in the name of righteousness, acknowledge that others—in spite of all the things about them that displease me—are just as innocent. It is extremely satisfying to believe this. Yes, it furthers a pleasant atmosphere when it concerns me as well as the others. Glory to God! When you treat the others, with this outlook on life, it will be extremely pleasant for them to be together with you. Then the others will surely feel that you are treating them justly and fairly. On this just foundation, you will also be in a position to bring the others to a good understanding of one another—that is, those who are still far from it. We can rightly say that one of the most common mistakes God’s children make is precisely this: they judge the innocent to be guilty; or, in other words, they consider the deeds of the body (Rom. 8:13) to be the works of the flesh. Gal. 5:19, ff. As far as the question of guilt is concerned, the difference between these two kinds of works is just as great as the difference between black and white, even though both of these works have to do with sin. The correct view of all the saints is that they are all exceedingly lovable because of their precious attitude toward all God’s will. They want to do everything that is right and good in God’s eyes, and they take a decided stand against everything else. They follow their conscience and act according to what they believe they should do at all times. Such souls are so very lovable and worthy of respect! When one person acts more strangely than another and you cannot comprehend how they can act and speak the way they do, it is the result of something unconscious in them as well as something unconscious in you. Therefore both sides are innocent. We are therefore a very colorful assembly of peculiar yet likeminded innocents. Glory to God! We should not at all expect anything good from those who are on the outside. Therefore it is totally absurd to judge them, pick on them, or complain about them! By way of confirmation, we have Jesus’ words when He was on the cross as a perfect example: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” This outlook on life will result in a gentle attitude of mind.Elias Aslaksen

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the other undone.” Matt. 23:23. This was Jesus’ judgment concerning the religious leaders of those days; He pronounced a “Woe” over them. were hypocrites, and their manner of worship was incompatible with a proper relationship to God. All such things are Satan’s work. He conquers peoples’ hearts for himself, and his intention is to steal and to murder and to destroy. Then people are left with only their manner of worship and with God in opposition to them. What wretchedness that is! What does Jesus say about the worshipers of our days? Jesus foresaw the future when He testified to the disciples: “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matt. 7:22-23. Here we see that history repeats itself. They were worshipers, and apparently very serious worshipers, but Jesus resisted them. He did not know them and asked them to depart from Him. These many worshipers were also deceived by Satan into following their lusts, despite the fact that they spoke prophetically and performed many powerful works in Jesus’ name. What did Jesus say about them? He said that they practiced lawlessness! They spoke in Jesus’ name and performed many powerful deeds in Jesus’ name, but they did not live their life in Jesus’ name. This last thing should have been done and the other things should not have been left undone. So there was nothing wrong with them speaking and performing powerful works in Jesus’ name, but the bad thing was that they did not live a righteous life. If they had lived their life for Jesus Christ, the other works would have led to a perfect result; but because that was lacking, they had no reward for their work. How can people who were converted to God end up so badly? They were deceived by Satan into living according to their lusts! The tempter acts according to this law: If I can only keep them from doing righteousness, from being merciful and faithful, they can preach all they want; I have them in my power anyway, even if they perform signs and wonders. These signs shall follow those who believe, (Mark 16:17-18) that is, those who live the life of Christ. Signs will follow them just as surely as all necessary things will follow those who seek God’s kingdom first. Matt. 6:33. Being crucified with Christ is the weightier matter of the gospel, and the rest will follow as a natural consequence. On the other hand, if a person seeks to speak prophetically and perform signs and wonders, considering it the most important thing, they will certainly be accepted by many people who will honor and esteem them. But the one who denies himself, takes up his cross and follows Jesus will be well received in God’s kingdom, and everything else will be added to him. This is weighty and is valued by God. Therefore seek it! And if you have a different view of the matter, repent and believe the truth; then the Lord will take the veil from your eyes so you can see the glory of the Lord with unveiled face. 2 Cor. 3:16, 18.Andreas Nilsen