Romans: Rooted in Jesus, Secure In Christ

In his book Les Misérables, Victor Hugo tells the story of Jean Valjean, a convicted criminal who escapes prison, changes his name, and tries to live a normal life. But his story is one of constant vigilance to avoid being known for who he is, the criminal Jean Valjean. He stored up his wealth in the local bank but told the banker to keep much of the money available for him should he need it quickly. He anticipated that at a moment’s notice he would have to flee for his life if his true identity was discovered.

Christians often live like Jean Valjean, careful to conceal their true nature. Our prime method of concealment? Public piety! If we can manage a good performance in life, we can avoid being accused of hypocrisy, and conceal the sinfulness of our true selves. You see the irony of this thinking? A good performance is the hypocrisy!

The gospel calls us to a different approach in life. It calls us to live in the grace that we have received and the no condemnation clause of Christ’s work for us. We don’t live to avoid accusation; we live in the dual reality of our sinfulness and God’s full-throated pardon. Only in God’s justification can we face our sin with humility, and the dependence on God that transforms us.

In his second contemplation, Paul asks, “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.” Join us Sunday as we consider who accuses us and how God liberates us with grace.