No one left to condemn
Romans 8:33-34 NASB
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.
Paul asks two questions: Who will bring a charge? Who will condemn?
There's a difference between the two. A charge is an accusation brought against someone. Condemnation goes further. It means the accusation has been upheld and the sentence has been given.
These are rhetorical questions, but if we're honest, don't we stand guilty before God? Wouldn't we have to admit that we are sinners?
We are not as innocent as we'd like to think. Are we?
Yet by the time Paul asks these questions, he expects his readers to know the answer. Throughout Romans, and especially in chapter 8, Paul has been reminding us who we are in Christ.
That's why we must go back to Romans 8:1:
Romans 8:1 NASB
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Paul has already answered the question.
So when asked, "Who will bring a charge against God's elect?" or "Who is there to condemn?" those who are in Christ should respond with a resounding:
No one!
Why, though?
Here’s what Paul says:
Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
To understand this passage, we must understand the gospel rightly. Paul points us not only to Jesus' death, but also to His resurrection and His ascension.
Jesus finished the work of atonement on the cross. There He bore our sin and defeated its power.
But if Jesus had remained in the grave, there would be no victory to proclaim. Meaning, His resurrection was THE SIGN declaring that sin and death were defeated!
If Jesus’ death is part of our identity today, so is His resurrection! What does that mean? We are glorified people (Paul’s way of starting it). Yet, we wait for the coming ultimate resurrection, an ultimate glorification. We are a resurrected people, even as we await the day of our final resurrection and glorification.
So when the question comes, "Who will condemn you?" we can answer:
No one. Christ has been raised, and we have been raised with Him.
But Paul doesn't stop with the resurrection. He points us to Jesus' present ministry. Jesus is alive. He has ascended to the Father and is seated at His right hand. Even now, He intercedes for us. When accusations arise, Jesus stands as our advocate. When condemnation is brought against us, He reminds the Father that the price has already been paid.
Paul points to both Christ's resurrection and His ascension to drive home the same truth:
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
So when asked, "Who will bring a charge against you?" or "Who will condemn you?"
Reply with confidence:
No one.
Live in that identity today. God is for His people. He is for you.
