“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? Shall God that justifies?” (Romans 8:33).

Paul is using a legal argument here. We have a right to stand before our accusers. Who is there to accuse us? Who has a right to bring charges against us for our sin? Our offense was against God in the first place. Is the One who paid the ransom for our freedom going to be the One who condemns us? Who is great enough to charge us with an offense that God forgave us for?

In Revelation 12:10, as John is describing a revelation he had of Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon and his angels, he recorded: “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night’.” Satan is constantly at work accusing Believers before the Father. And Satan has plenty on the books to use against us, doesn’t he?

But once God has paid the penalty through His Son, once for all, what can anyone accuse us of? The price has been paid. “The wages of sin in death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord” (Romans 6:23). “But God commends [shows] His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

The only avenue the accuser now has in the life of the Believer is if he can get us thinking like we’re condemned sinners. If I don’t deserve anything from God, I won’t expect anything from God. The more of a “worm” I see myself, the more hopelessly in bondage to sin I become. So, a Believer can be forgiven and yet not realize it. So, although God has called us to soar like eagles, we keep scratching around in the dirt like chickens.

Wake up, Christian. You are justified by the shed blood of Jesus, not your good works. Start walking in faith and hold your head high.

Tags: accusation, condemnation