Saved From Condemnation

Since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.

Romans 5:9

HAVE YOU SEEN any good courtroom shows recently? Whether cameras are catching the action of “real” court cases or filming fictional scenarios, the entertainment industry (and our culture at large) seems to become more fascinated with the judicial system every day.

But have you ever actually been in a courtroom? Have you sat in the jury box and listened to the evidence and arguments for yourself? That’s an intimidating experience for most people. Serving as a prosecutor or a defense attorney and delivering those arguments would be an overwhelming experience for most people. But being the focus of a court case, put on trial and forced to defend your actions under the threat of being declared guilty, would be the most terrifying experience of all.

Think about sitting across from a judge as he or she receives the verdict—your verdict—from the jury foreman. Imagine the helplessness you would feel in that situation. Your immediate and long-term future would be spelled out on that small slip of paper, but you would have no control over what happens next. Your very freedom would be in the hands of strangers.

Thankfully, Romans 5:9 reminds us that followers of Jesus will never have to feel that kind of helplessness when it comes to our eternal destiny. Even though we’re guilty of sin, we will not be condemned. Our prosecutor, Satan, won’t even win a hearing because we’ve already been saved by the blood of Christ.