Continuing with the theme of the Christian’s security in Jesus Christ found in this closing section of Romans 8, we now come to two little verses that remind us of one simple truth: it is God alone Who has the power to save or condemn. Though others will bring accusations and charges against the believer (some false but many, unfortunately, accurate), our fate and destiny is still in the hands of the Lord Jesus. Satan is called the accuser of the brethren and we are told that he brings accusations against us before God continually (Rev. 12:10). But he has absolutely no power or influence to change the fact that we stand justified by faith.
Jesus reminded His disciples that it is the prerogative of God alone to save a man or cast him into Hell (Luke 12:5). He also declared that the power of judgment has been given to Him exclusively (John 5:22). In other words, it is the verdict of the Lord Jesus Christ that is most important; it is His conclusion of whether or not you stand guilty or pardoned before Him that matters.
It is our tendency to want to defend ourselves when we are accused, to explain our actions and justify our motives whenever charges of misbehavior or sinfulness are brought against us — regardless of who it is that brings them. We feel compelled to answer our critics, refuting the false accusations and mitigating the true. While we do have an obligation to apologize and make things right with those we mistreat, the Apostle Paul reminds us here that we stand justified by faith in Jesus Christ (if we are in Him) and that the charges and accusations of others, be it human or demonic, holds absolutely no sway over our condition with God. The finger-pointing and fault-finding of others does not influence our position in Christ; even if the accusations are correct. It is before our own Lord that we stand or fall and we have already seen, in Romans 3-5, that it is God’s grace, not our merit, which justifies us.
When we are saved and in Christ, we are to depart from sin and iniquity (2 Tim. 2:19). But when we do commit sin, the Lord will forgive us as we confess those sins before Him (1 John 1:9). We have the promise of the Lord that He will remember those sins no more, nor will He hold them against us – even if others do (Ps. 103:12). It is God alone Who justifies and it is God alone Who condemns. It is ultimately how He sees us that really matters.
To God goes all glory. In service to Him,
Loren
