“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:33-34)
I’ve got a good friend right now waiting for a judge to make a decision that could change his whole life. The judge has to decide if my friend is telling the truth or if the other person is. He is listening to the accusations and defenses from both sides. What’s at stake could impact my friend’s life for years and years to come.
Paul is using the metaphor of a court of law here at the end of Romans 8. We were the ones on trial for our sin, and we know we’ve done things that someone could use to get us condemned. We have sinned. We were guilty.
But Paul wants us to hear loud and clear that the judge has already declared us NOT guilty. He already condemned Jesus to serve our sentence, to pay the price. Jesus has already died for us. The trial, conviction, and sentencing phases have all ended. The case is complete.
Even if the enemy comes back to accuse us of more sin, God has already ruled. And Jesus stands nearby, continually making the case for us: “I paid for that sin. And that one. You already ruled, Father. The case is over. The defendant is forgiven.”
Think: Do you ever feel like you are the one accusing yourself to God, convinced that your sins are too big to be forgiven? Why is that attitude prideful? How does it make less of the price Jesus paid for our sin?
Pray: Thank God for justifying you. Thank him that Jesus is at his right hand interceding for you.
Do: Next time you see a court case on TV, remember that God has already declared you forgiven.