Romans 8:33-34 “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us”

Don’t misunderstand Paul’s words. It is not as though potential charges are lacking. You know this. We have mountains of little sins, private sins, sins that are practically invisible.

Do you know what the tallest mountain in the world is? It’s not Everest. Everest is the highest mountain above sea level. Mauna Kea in Hawaii is the tallest of all. It looks rather average because almost two-thirds of the mountain is under the Pacific Ocean. But from base to summit, it is almost three quarters of a mile taller than Everest. The real size of our sinfulness is hidden like Mauna Kea underneath the ocean of our private moments, unexpressed thoughts, and selfish attitudes.

But even if someone could expose them all, it wouldn’t matter. By faith we are the people “whom God has chosen,” and “It is God who justifies.” Our Judge has chosen to adopt us as his own children. He gave up his only Son so that he could justify us, pass a not guilty verdict sentence when we stand before him in his court.

If this were any human court it would look like corruption, or a conflict of interest. The judge should step down. His verdict would be appealed. But in heaven’s court there is no other judge, and there is no court of appeals. There is only the Judge who chose to make us his own people, and gave up his only Son for our crimes, and finds us not guilty as a result. He is on our side. No one can turn him against us.

Just in case someone should try, we have even more assurance. “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Again, the issue is not that there is a lack of things to condemn us for. But Christ Jesus died in our place to pay for all those things. And for God the Father, that will never be a forgotten little piece of ancient history.

You see, Jesus lives again. He sits in the most privileged place in heaven right next to his Father. He is his “right hand man,” his most trusted partner. And any time you or I might sin, Jesus is right there to remind his Father, “You know, I have paid for that sin already.” “You know, I took that sin away at the cross.” “You know, there are no limits, no borders, no boundaries for forgiveness.” “You know, this is one of your own children we are dealing with here.”

No one else has the Father’s ear like Jesus does. No one can turn him against us. Jesus makes us certain that God is on our side.