Tuesday, February 8, 2011

no condemnation

This is an excerpt from reason #12 in the book "Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die" by John Piper.
#12 To Take Away Our Condemnation

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 in interceding for us. Romans 8:34

"When the Question is asked, 'who is to condemn?' the answer is assumed. No one! Then the basis is declared: 'Christ Jesus is the one who died!' The death of Christ secures our freedom from condemnation. It is as sure that we cannot be condemned as it is sure that Christ died. There is no double jeopardy in God's court. We will not be condemned twice for the same offenses. Christ has died once for our sins. We will not be condemned for them. Condemnation is gone not because there isn't any, but because it already happened.
"But what about condemnation by the world? Is that not an answer to the question, 'Who is to condemn?' Aren't Christians condemned by the world? There have been many martyrs. The answer is that no one can dondemn us successfully Charges can be brought, but none will stick in the end. 'Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies' (Romans 8:33). It's the same as when the Bible asks, 'Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?' (Romans 8:35). The answer is not that these things don't happen to Christians. The answer is: 'In all these things we are more than conquerers through Him who loved us' (Romans 8:37).
"The world will bring its condemnation. they may even put their sword behind it. But we know that the highest court has already ruled in our favor. 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31). No one successfully. If they rejuect us, he accepts us. If they hate us, he loves us. If they inprison us, he sets our spirits free. If they afflict us, he refines us by the fire. If they kill us, he makes it a passage to paradise. They cannot defeat us. Christ has died. Christ has risen. We are alive in Him. And in Him there is no condemnation. We are forgiven, and we are righteous. 'And the righteous are bold as a lion' (proverbs 28:1) "

This part just really stuck out to me, so I thought I would share it with you guys. But I think it speaks for its self, so I won't add my thoughts. But feel free to comment if you have something to add. I like discussion. :)

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