“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died–more than that, who was raised–who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:31b-34)
Many people like to quote these verses from Paul in times of grief and stress such as sickness or the death of a loved one. Yet these words of Paul are promises made to those who faith in Jesus who are undergoing persecution. They speak to us as the Church of Jesus Christ in these days of social unrest and violence, when it appears that our whole world is being consumed by immorality, idolatry, and unrighteousness. Paul’s words remind us that God is in control. He knows what is going on. He is working in us, His people, to counteract the forces of sin and Satan. In the process, He builds our faith as well as our righteous and holy character as we stand up for the truth of God’s Word and His will in the face of strong opposition. Almighty God works in us to build us up into the image of Jesus Christ.
No matter what the media or government may say, sin and violence are on the increase. Many people have seen to thrown off all restraint and disobey the laws of both God and man. The laws of God are ignored or reinterpreted. The laws of man sanction and promote idolatry and ungodliness. Many either no longer believe in Almighty God as He has revealed Himself in the Bible, or disregard Him preferring gods of their own choosing. Many then lash out against the Church of Jesus Christ in an attempt to silence God and His people. Christians are accused of racism, homo and trans-phobia, and intolerance because we maintain that the word of God condemns all sin. Many people in media and government set themselves up as the moral authority to judge and condemn our Christian faith and practice. They use shame, bullying, and intimidation to enforce compliance to their code of external standards which they have compiled without reference to the authority of God’s word. Yet people who do so will never find peace. They may deem themselves righteous because they accuse others, but they denying their own guilt and sin. They stand condemned before God no matter what they do or say and bound for eternal punishment.
So Paul’s words bring hope and comfort to us in the midst of the uncertainties of contemporary American life. His words tell us that neither God nor His people can be silenced. He tells us of the Lord’s unalterable acceptance and love of those who have faith in Him. If God has acquitted us in Christ Jesus, no one can condemn or shame us. While we still sin, we are convicted and led to repentance by the Holy Spirit. We confess and rejoice in the forgiveness God grants. God does not condemn those He has justified and declared righteous. His verdict is the only one that matters and it is final. And it is written indelibly on our hearts.