The Answer That May Surprise You

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 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. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:33-35)

Who shall accuse us? Who shall condemn us? Who shall separate us from Christ? The answer may surprise you.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:28-31)

God knew each of us before the creation of the universe and everything in it. God designed a course of action for us to take. It was the path of righteousness, the way to salvation. God knew that man would fall and He planned his avenue of escape.

God knew that if fallen man was left to his own devices that he would fail. So God called. God’s chosen, the elect would hear and respond to His call. Those who did respond God would justify and glorify through His Son Jesus Christ.

Now, let’s go back to the answer that, “may surprise you”. Do you know who will accuse, condemn and separate you from Christ? It’s only one person who can do it. Give up?

It’s you.

Jesus said, “I have chosen you” (John 15:16). You have been chosen by God, your pathway of redemption and salvation made clear. God has called you and quickened your Spirit. The devil and death have been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s a done deal.

But you have to respond. You have to accept. You have to do and be.

You are a child of God. You will be confronted by tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and the sword, but you will not be defeated by them.

Only you can defeat you.

“For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” (Ezekiel 18:32)

Bill Hitchcock