Not Guilty

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

Food For Thought: The story is told of a private in the army of the Greek general, Alexander the Great, who ran after and retrieved the general’s runaway horse. When this lowly soldier brought the animal back, Alexander offered his appreciation by saying, “Thank you, Captain!”

With one word the private had been promoted. When the general said it, the private believed it. He immediately went to the quartermaster, selected a new captain’s uniform and put it on. He went to the officer’s quarters and selected a bunk. He went to the officer’s mess and had a meal.

Because Alexander the Great had said it, the private took him at his word and changed his life accordingly—his way of thinking about the world, his way of perceiving himself, how he acted, and how he lived.

One greater than Alexander went to a cross and paid the penalty for your sin. He completely absorbed the brunt of God’s righteous wrath which you deserved, so that you could stand before God completely guiltless. And the One greater than any other stands in the presence of Almighty God, the righteous judge of all the world, and he declares to his Father that you are not guilty—therefore there is now no condemnation because you are in Christ Jesus.

So how about believing what Jesus has declared to be true of you! How about acting like the work of redemption that he paid for with his righteous blood on the cross had made a difference in your life! Why not take Jesus at his word and change your way of thinking and your way of living!

Dear friend, if you are in Christ Jesus, you are not guilty!

Prayer: Father, you have forgiven all my sins and have cleansed me from all unrighteousness. Before you I am totally clean, completely pardoned, and fully accepted as your child. As I stand in your presence, there is no condemnation—because I am in Christ Jesus. Now I pray that you will enable me to live that spiritual reality in the real world of my everyday life. Enable me to be a walking advertisement of your saving grace.

One more thing… “The blood of Christ stands not simply for the sting of sin on God but the scourge of God on sin, not simply for God’s sorrow over sin, but for God’s wrath on sin.” —P.T. Forsyth