The Three "Whos" of Our Ecstatic Position

1. WHO SHALL BRING ANY CHARGE AGAINST GOD'S ELECT?

It is God who justifies. God declares us free. GOD! None less, and there is no one higher! This first "Who" is singular literally in that there are no plural answers as you see in the following two "Who's". The answer is plain and simple, . . . and appropriately PROFOUND! God justifies! Who's going to come after the true believer? Paul is not saying that none will try. Further, he is not offering that none will succeed. They will try. They will succeed in killing Christians. So? So, they will not, -- they CAN not touch the believer where it really counts, where it truly hurts--in the hidden recesses of the heart, in the present security he enjoys from his Lord, in the eternal destiny of his soul! It is God who justifies. PERIOD!  No power in heaven, on earth or beneath the earth can contradict or countermand God's declaration, "You're MINE!" Amazing grace! Answer? No one shall bring ANY charge against God's elect. PERIOD. End of court.

2. WHO IS TO CONDEMN?

• Christ Jesus is the one who died. He took our judgment upon himself.
  
• More, Christ Jesus was raised from the dead. He triumphed over death, the result of judgment.
  
• More still, Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God. The position of power and authority.
  
• Further, Christ Jesus is interceding for us! Conjoined with v. 26, we have the overwhelming help of both the Spirit and of Jesus himself standing in there interpreting and empowering our weak prayers. But we must pray!
  

3. WHO SHALL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST?

• Tribulation?
• Distress?
  
• Persecution?
• Famine?
• Nakedness?
• Danger?
• Sword?

Note that this last question is NOT "who shall keep us out of heaven?" We typically think of salvation in terms of location (probably because we've not been taught very well that it is in our relationship with Christ that we find our greatest delight!) Paul asks, who'll separate us from God's love? What an unbelievable blessing to experience not just God's accepting "nod" reluctantly allowing us into heaven, but his wide open arms grabbing us . . . and not letting go! Relish that thought. Oh, the kindness and love of God. His ways are past finding out!!
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