Assurance of Present Forgiveness

Romans 8:34-39

Several years ago, I sat up late, working on something, leaving my TV on. One of the Infomercials that came on was for a series of booklets and CDs about how to get rich by finding the right people and suing them. Certain industries would rather pay a bogus claim to maintain their reputation than risk being sued. As a result, even a frivolous claim with no evidence had a chance of being settled out of court, making the plaintiff, and his lawyer some money. Many lawyers will take such cases on a contingency basis, taking a third of the proceeds if they win, but charging nothing if the lose.

One caveat was offered, however. This only worked on people who feared an investigation of their activities might reveal other problems. Those who truly had nothing to hide were apt to counter sue for damages and penalties instead. They were sure any claims were bogus. This is why the information focused on picking who to sue.

Satan is like the dishonest lawyer, encouraging people to make bogus claims in hopes he will make a killing of some of them. Revelation 12:10 describes final victory over him. “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” He constantly accuses believers before God, while getting people here on earth to accuse as well.

John 8:44 describes the devil, and the attitude of those who follow him. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” They are inspired by him, and try to fulfill his desires. Both they and Satan will lie to accomplish his purpose, to God, to other people, and to us.

Romans 8:1-2 declares, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” There is no penalty that can be applied to those who walk after or in the Spirit. Christ made us alive in the Spirit, as we’ve already seen, and Galatians 5;25 tells us, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Our actions should not be an act but a reflection of the truth. We are not to act like a Christian, but to be a Christian. When we have sinned, we need to confess that sin because as I John 1:8-10 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” Refusal to acknowledge sin indicates that we are not his children, but confession will result in forgiveness and removal of the sin.

While we have the power not to sin when walking in the Spirit, there are times when we act according to the flesh, and sin. Ideally, we shouldn’t sin, but when we do Christ is there to take care of it according to I John 2:1-2. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Any charges against us are thus bogus.

“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34)

As our advocate or intercessor, Christ deals with each sin as it comes up. When it occurred or how serious is not a problem, because of who he is, as Hebrews 7:24-25 shows. “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

Rather than giving in to fear of having lost our salvation, or committing the unpardonable sin, Peter says we need to trust God. By confessing our sin, we can maintain a good conscience, and the accusations will have little effect. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing” (I Peter 3:15-17).