God’s Voice Redeems—It Doesn’t Condemn

God’s voice redeems, encourages, directs, and communicates peace. His voice does not condemn, tear down, confuse, or leave us fearful. His voice focuses on Who He is, while our voice focuses on our limitations or abilities.

I remember years ago, when my children were much younger, a time they ran around bickering, badgering, and belly-aching.

“Mommy...Joshua called me stupid”... “Mommy...Sommer said she hated me.” “MOMMY...” Well you get the picture.

After countless times of instructing them to hold one another's hands and ask for forgiveness, talking to them about what Jesus would do, and playing referee--I snapped, screamed, and slammed my door!

Well that was really mature. What a great example you are, Julie, I thought.

You are such a horrible mother! My thoughts and feelings weighted me with guilt and shame. I was so disappointed in how I behaved!

Heavy hearted and defeated I slumped my shoulders, crawled into my bed, pulled the covers up under my chin and prayed.

"I'm sorry Lord! Please forgive me!"

As I prayed, I felt another impression, "You need to ask your children for forgiveness."

I share this story to highlight the difference between our voice and God’s. It's pretty easy to look at this story and discern my voice from God’s. Unfortunately, our circumstances aren’t always that easy. Sometimes situations complicate our ability to hear God’s voice, but regardless of our circumstances God's voice redeems, it doesn’t condemn.

When God speaks, addressing our sin, it’s to call us to action not condemnation. James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to one another that you might be healed.” And, in Ezekiel 18:30, we find another great example of Godly conviction; “Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.” Do you see the redemptive qualities in these two verses? God’s voice doesn’t condemn it redeems.

If the tone of the message implies "You’re a loser" the voice isn’t God’s.

God speaks correction not condemnation. His voice doesn’t suggest generalities like you aren’t good, He impresses specifics thoughts like, you need to ask for forgiveness; you were harsh with your children.

God’s voice is redemptive; even in rebukes God speaks specifically and points to redemption. Many times throughout the Old Testament God said “if you…then I will…”

Deuteronomy 11:26-29 is a great example of a clear command from God, full of consequences, yet filled with redemptive hope: “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse — the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.”

God rebuked Israel to prod them to repentance and to turn them back to Him. Time and time again we see God mercifully telling Israel to turn from their wicked ways and to return to Him with all their heart. He didn’t say, “You’re worthless and good for nothing.”

God doesn’t condemn His children; the only people Jesus spoke harshly with were the Pharisees and Scribes. He spoke strongly with them because they hypocritically claimed to be flawless, setting themselves above others, superior in knowledge, but void of relationship. If we fail to maintain a relationship with God or think we are superior to others, we may heare God's rebuke; but as a norm, God speaks to His children with love and encouragement.

So today, I encourage you...distinguish the messages playing in your mind and remember God's voice redeems!