Case Closed!
The concluding section of Romans chapter 8 delivers a powerful, reassuring message for all followers of Christ, affirming that the Christian’s security is rooted entirely in the finished work of Jesus. The Apostle Paul provides a series of rhetorical questions and affirmations demonstrating that, in spite of past, present, or future sins, the case against the believer is closed.
This absolute security eliminates doubt and fear, allowing believers to rest comfortably in their salvation by trusting in the finished work of Christ.
I. The Closed Case: No Condemnation (Romans 8:33–34)
Paul addresses the fear of accusation and condemnation with two pivotal questions: “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?” and “Who is he that condemns?”.
A. Addressing the Accusations
The sources acknowledge that accusations against believers are frequent and real:
- Our own hearts accuse us.
- Friends and enemies seek to undermine us.
- The evil one, described as the accuser of the brethren, repeatedly challenges our faith by pointing out specific sins, such as shouting at a person, being unfeeling toward a spouse, or being prayerless.
The accuser may even challenge the Father, asking how He can possibly favor a sinner.
B. The Divine Defense: The Cross of Christ
When such accusations are raised, the Father’s answer is not to focus on the believer’s self-esteem or “pluses”. Instead, the Father directs the gaze of the accuser to one place: the cross of His Son.
The Father affirms: “Yes she is a sinner yes he is a sinner but look at my son’s hands and look at my son’s feet and look at the wounds in the side of my son”.
The case against the believer is closed. There is no possibility of double jeopardy. The charges that were justly against us cannot be raised again, not because of the believer’s performance, but because Christ has made an atonement for sin in the cross.
Through the cross, God’s perfect and holy justice was satisfied by executing the punishment our sins deserve. The Lord Jesus has pardoned those who believe in Him, even though they sinned and deserved condemnation.
This truth is summarized in 2 Corinthians 5:21: God was not counting their sins against them, because He who had no sin was made sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
C. The Judge’s Verdict
Paul affirms that only Christ is in a position to condemn. But the reality is that the Judge himself has declared us free from sin.
The security of the believer rests entirely in the third person (“He”): because He died, because He was raised, because He ascended, and because He prays for us.
Christ’s action ensures no condemnation:
- Christ died for us.
- Christ rose for us.
- Christ reigns in power for us.
- Christ prays for us.
II. The Physical Location and Priesthood of Jesus
Understanding the current physical location of Jesus is tremendously important to the believer’s security.
A. Jesus is in Heaven
The resurrection of Jesus was physical, and His ascension sent Him to a specific location: the presence of God the Father in heaven.
- His physical presence is in its exalted state in heaven.
- Therefore, He is not physically present anywhere else. While He is present in other places by the Holy Spirit, He is not corporeally on earth.
- This means Jesus cannot be present in the Roman Catholic mass.
B. The Permanent Priesthood
Because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Unlike Old Testament priests, who died and had to be replaced, Jesus lives forever and does not need to offer sacrifices day after day. He offered Himself once for all, making the case closed.
This permanent position enables Jesus to save completely. He does not merely get believers “started” and then tell them to try their best to reach heaven.
Furthermore, Jesus always lives to intercede for them. His sacrificial death covers sins retrospectively (past) and prospectively (future), meaning all sins the believer has yet to commit are also covered by His death upon the cross.