What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. 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.
Not only is the Holy Spirit interceding to save us from the sinful nature, Jesus is also interceding to save us from death. There is no condemnation because Jesus, the sin offering, died and was raised to life. Paul uses the language of the law to describe how God himself saves us from the punishment of death. “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?” Christ has paid the penalty for us, and works as our defender against the law of death which demands justice for sin.
So, if we submit to God, we are able to receive the Holy Spirit, which constantly works to purify us by making our own thoughts and feelings more spirit-filled, and even when we slip up, the Spirit can intercede in our prayers to help us ask forgiveness. All of that leads up to the conclusion that, with God’s help and our continual striving, we are free from condemnation! God’s law, which could not be held with the weakness of the flesh, is now fulfilled in Christ and we are reunited with our Father.
Reason for Optimism 6: We are free from condemnation.
