God's elect: redeemed and free!

More often than not I go to God in prayer before writing this blog, or even a note to a fellow believer. This week I was greatly encouraged when that prayer led me to two separate devotionals, each focused on the same message: Salvation in Christ – freedom from guilt, condemnation and despair.

Who among us has not been pulled by guilt into a dark place where we find ourselves questioning how God can call us His beloved daughter or son? Conversely, who among us has not considered the words or actions of others and concluded, at least for the moment, that their sin is too horrible for God's pardon?”

In the first of the devotionals I read, Greg Laurie wrote in part: “We all fail in life. We all have lapses. Simon Peter openly denied the Lord, but God gave him a second chance. Jesus recommissioned him at the Sea of Galilee.”

Laurie continued along that line: “What about Jonah? He ran from God, but God got his attention in the stomach of a great fish. Jonah came to his senses and was given a second chance. God gives second chances.”

“You can have a second chance, and God can use you,” he emphasized. “Maybe you feel like your story is over because of mistakes you’ve made or a sin you’ve committed. Get up and run again. Your story isn’t over.”

The seed for this blog message was planted, and then I was prompted to go to a devotional posted that day by Pastor Charles Stanley. He followed a similar theme to that chosen by Laurie that day, writing in part: “When doubts about the Lord's love and faithfulness arise, focus on truth. If we judge His loyalty to us by our circumstances or feelings, we will never get an accurate view of God.”

Stanley continued: “True security lies not in our good performance, but in our relationship with Christ, and no one can take that from us.”

He then referenced Romans 8, posing the rhetorical question: “Who will bring a charge against God's elect?”

Answer? “No accusation against us can stand, since at the moment of salvation, the Lord justified us. This means we were legally declared righteous, while still in our sinning condition. No one can reverse this transaction and make us guilty again. To doubt our blameless standing in Christ is to declare His atonement insufficient to cover our sin.”

Thank you, gracious Father, for this word of encouragement, this promise that demonstrates the undeserved, unconditional love you offer to all! Thank you for reminding me (as You have so many times) to look at those You put in my path through YOUR eyes of love.

Romans 8:33-34 “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”