Mar 12 - Sunday
Romans 8:31-34If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
This is one of the most hopeful verses in all of Scripture. After all, it is great to have such a loving God on our side. Unfortunately, we also have to deal with someone who stands against us: our “archenemy” Satan. He spends a good amount of his time tempting us, and the rest of the time condemning us the moment we fall. For instance, he may tempt you to get angry and frustrated in a situation, and then he will say: “You call yourself a Christian after that display of anger? You’ve really done it this time. You don’t expect God to forgive you for that again, do you?”
It’s at times like these that we can benefit from St. Paul’s next question: “Who will bring any charge against God’s elect?” (Romans 8:33). No one. No one can bring a valid charge against a child of God, thanks to the blood of Jesus. In baptism, he cleansed us from sin. Now he wants to sprinkle our hearts so that we are freed from a guilty conscience (Hebrews 9:14; 10:22).
It’s true. Anyone who sincerely confesses their sins is completely forgiven—no matter how bad the sin or how many times we fall prey to it! This drives the devil crazy, because it takes the rug out from under him. Sure, he can try to make us feel guilty right after we sin but once we repent, the case is dismissed, and God doesn’t think about it anymore!
The devil’s biggest trick is to try to convince us that some particular pattern of sin is so horrible or so deep-seated that it somehow falls outside of the universal and all-atoning sacrifice of Christ. Don’t fall for this ruse! The Scriptures and the church have you covered on this one. All who ask forgiveness for their sins are cleansed and set free from guilt by the blood of Jesus.
“Father, thank you for your great mercy! I am eternally grateful for your love and forgiveness. May the blood of your Son cleanse me from all my sins today.”
posted by Thomas Cagurangan @ 12:10 AM
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