Romans: Rooted in Jesus; No Guilt in Life, No Fear in Death

When I left the religious tradition that I was raised in, there were several people who said that I was disobeying God. Comments like that weighed heavily on my 30-year-old mind. At that age, with limited experience, could I be sure that I was doing the right thing? I resigned my position and began looking for a new role in the Presbyterian church. For several months I painted houses in my father’s rental property business. I interviewed with several churches, but no one hired me. I wondered, “Were my friends right? Was God punishing me?” Then in early August, just before school began, I was hired at Pinewoods Presbyterian in Pensacola. We moved into our home in the Pensacola area on September 9th, our wedding anniversary. Four days later, we fled back to Atlanta as hurricane Ivan ravaged our home. The hurricane damaged our roof, flooding most of the house, ruining ceilings, walls, floors, and furniture. My anxiety intensified! Was God punishing me for joining the Presbyterian church?

I share that story because it’s a question that I get asked often as a pastor, especially when God’s people encounter hardships in their lives. I’ve even had believers ask me if they are cursed. Our text this week addresses this question. The unqualified answer is “no.” As believers we might be accused by others and our own heart, but our Judge declares us righteous in Christ. Since we can’t be judged, we can’t be sentenced or condemned. A guilty verdict would mean sentencing, but a not-guilty verdict, or acquittal, means no punishment. Join us Sunday as we consider the Apostle’s reasoning.