Have you ever labored under an accusation–even an accusation that you knew, good and well, was false? Sometimes we feel so compelled to justify ourselves, that we can spend days, weeks, or even years of our lives trying to argue our case with someone who’s mind is set and will never be convinced–sometimes that someone is yourself.
If you have ever struggled with a nagging sense of guilt and condemnation, if you have exhausted yourself trying to make up for a past mistake by doing good things, or if you frequently find yourself angry or depressed by condemning and belittling voices in your life, I have some really good news for you–Jesus Christ has vindicated you once and for all, and that spiritual vindication can become a reality from which you live in complete freedom for the rest of your life. Look at what Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthian church:
And He will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah. God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.) – 1 Corinthians 1:8, 9 (Amplified Bible)
I want to give you three points to think about today:
1). If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, asked Him into your life to be your Lord, He has already paid in full for your sin, and given you a place of full acceptance with God that the Bible calls “righteousness.” We don’t lose that place of acceptance with God when we sin, because we did not receive that place by not sinning. We received this acceptance before God because Jesus took our sin upon Himself. Sin still matters because of what it does to our hearts. Sin hardens us, it makes it harder for us to enjoy the intimate friendship with God that we have been given. Think of any close relationship in your life. When you violate that relationship with bad behavior, harsh words, things you wish you hadn’t said or done, it becomes difficult to look that person in the eye and talk until you apologize and receive their forgiveness. It’s the same way with God. So sin matters, but it does not disqualify you from the vindication that Jesus has provided for you.
2). Along with vindicating us with His own blood, Jesus has committed Himself to a process of “establishing us” in the truth that we are vindicated. The truth is, you and I are not the same people we were before we accepted Jesus as Lord. The Bible says that we are now, children of God, joint heirs with Jesus Himself, the righteousness of God in Christ, His friends, His family, His partners and companions. Those things define your true “new identity” in Christ. But it takes most of us many repeated experiences with God, and many long walks and talks with Jesus, to even begin to live out of that new identity.
Thank God, he didn’t just send you a letter stating that He had taken care of your sin and brought you into the family, He lives in you by the Holy Spirit to coach you daily into a deep seated belief in that new reality. He will establish you in the truth of your vindication, and that truth will set you free from voices that want to tell you about your unworthiness.
3). There will be voices; both spiritual and natural, that try to bring accusation and condemnation against you for your whole life. Satan is identified as “The Accuser.” It is his nature. It is what he does, and that will not change. So, there is no sense in us asking God to take away all of the criticism and accusation that might come our way. Instead, we simply need to choose which messages carry any weight in our lives. If God wants to correct my thinking, my attitudes, or my actions, I welcome it. He always does it with a firm love that leads me to a better place in life. But if someone, or even Satan himself, wants to beat me over the head about any of those issues, I don’t listen. It is none of his business because I am not his child.
On this earth, there will always be people that use accusation and condemnation to try to win arguments and influence. In fact, just a little tip here, when I am listening to any social or political discussion, I watch first for the motivation and method behind the argument, and then think about what is being said. I have noticed, particularly in today’s political drama here in the US, that there are those who, rather than state their point of view with some level of respect for their opponents, and back up what they are saying with facts or principles, will use personal attacks and character assassination as their primary weapons. I believe that the spirit of The Accuser is motivating those people, and I won’t give them my ears no matter which side of the political aisle they come from.
Back to my point, you might as well deal with the fact that your mom was wrong–there will be people who don’t like you, or disagree strongly with you. There will be those who seek to wound you with personal accusations. And certainly, if you let them do it, demonic forces will bombard you with thoughts of condemnation and disqualification. Don’t let them do it! Let Jesus be the keeper of your reputation. Walk close with Him and live your life with the utmost integrity. Don’t have secrets, live in the light, but know that from time to time you will miss the mark. When you do, admit your mistake, be open about it, accept any natural consequences that are appropriate, entrust yourself again to your loving Heavenly Father, but don’t waste a lot of time on self-justification. Receive restoration and forgiveness from the Lord, and reject thoughts of condemnation and self-loathing. Move on, go forward, grow in grace.
Let Christ establish you in your vindication. Walk with your head up. Let Him convince you of who you are in Him, and enjoy your place of companionship and participation with Him.
