Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Romans 8:33-34
Satan always accuses us (Rev 12:10). He accentuates sins that we may doubt God’s forgiveness. In the verse above, Paul asks, Who will pass a sentence of condemnation to the people of God?
To say that the believers can still be condemned is a big problem, for condemnation is the antithesis of justification. Believers are justified in Christ. But Paul anticipates every possible objection here.
In this verse, we’ll see Paul’s four Arguments against those who say that condemnation still awaits God’s people.
These are His mediatorial work. If Christ has done these, how can He condemn us? Romans 8:33-34 is a reinstatement of John 3:17-19. The world is already under condemnation, but Christ came to save.
This reduces Satan’s accusation against the people of God to absurdity.
His Atoning Death
Paul’s first argument is that it is Christ who died. Christ came to save. He already received the condemnation that should befall us. The sinless One took our sins in His body and the Father laid upon His shoulders our iniquity (2 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:6).
He can’t be the reason for our condemnation. He already suffered for our sins! Actively, He came to obey the law; Passively, He came to receive the punishment due for man’s disobedience of the law.
Hence, the Eucharist is a blasphemous doctrine, since Christ’s work is already finished.
If God still has to punish His people when Jesus has already satisfied His justice, and Christ was condemned, He will be unjust. We can be certain that God will forgive us whenever we sin because God is faithful and just (1 John 1:8-10).
In His Son, He already punished the sins of His people. God’s justice is no longer the source of the believers’ terror but the source of their comfort and security because Christ has already satisfied it fully for them. God will be unjust to punish us again if Christ has already died for us. The justice of God is already on our side.
His Triumphant Resurrection
The second proof that the people of God can no longer be condemned is our Redeemer’s triumphant Resurrection. He has risen again. This verse encapsulates 1 Cor 15, the resurrection chapter.
He was resurrected to show that we are already justified. His resurrection is not the basis of our justification (Romans 4:25, Eph 1:19), but rather a proof of our justification, which shows us that God is indeed satisfied in the work of Christ.
It tells us, that we have nothing to worry about in spite of the enemies of our soul. Christ already conquered sin, death, and Satan.
His Majestic Exaltation
…who is at the right hand of God…
He is at the right hand of God in His glory (John 17:4-5). This means He is in the position of supremacy. From His humiliation, and after He completed His work of redemption, the LORD Jesus Christ was exalted. The LORD sits upon His throne (Psalm 93:1). The preaching of the gospel is the preaching of the kingdom of God, His present reign as the supreme King and we reign with Him (Eph 2:6).
Christ’s work is finished as our High Priest (Heb 1:3). He is already seated! There is no longer condemnation for those whom He came to die.
Our salvation is secured as the enthronement of the Son of God is.
His Present intercession
…who also intercedes for us.
He always lives to make intercession for His people (Heb 7:25). This is Christ’s active and present work.
This debunks the doctrine that Mary has to appease the Son. We go to the Father through the Son, and the Son is presently praying for us that we may not fail (Luke 22:32).
Christ is our advocate (1 John 2:1-2). He defends us against all accusations. There is no other rightful Advocate for us before the Father, but Jesus Christ, who alone is perfectly righteous.
His Throne is an active throne. Though His work is complete, He is not idle in heaven. He maintains His office as the Prophet, Priest, and King.
Coram Deo
Satan’s accusation can still be true since we still commit sins. But he is not telling the whole story whenever he charges us before God’s presence, since we have been purchased by the blood of the lamb and there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ.
Oh reader, may this be your consolation! The greatest cause of doubt is your failure to look upon Christ. Look upon Christ who died to atone for your sins, who rose again triumphantly, who is seated supreme at the right hand of God, and who is presently interceding on your behalf that you may not fail. There’s no more condemnation! There can no longer be any valid charge against us. Take comfort in the Beloved!
Let us rest in Christ alone. There is true freedom from fear of condemnation if we trust in Christ alone.
SOLI DEO GLORIA!
Note: This blog is based on our Pastor’s expository series in the book of Romans.
Comments