Look at the Book: The Greatest Chapter - Episode 28
Official link: https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/it-is-god-who-justifies

Principle for Bible Reading:
Satan is an accuser (Revelation 12:10), but Jesus disarmed him at the cross. In this lab, John Piper explains how the work of Christ wars against and defeats Satan’s schemes to accuse and condemn us. Are you able to wield the sword of Paul’s promises against the evil one?


Outline:
Introduction/Prayer (00:00–01:25)

No One Can Convict You (01:25–03:19)
1. This cannot mean that no one can charge us with something. Even Jesus had charges brought against him. In fact, he was killed because of false charges brought against him.
2. No one can accuse you successfully (Romans 8:33). No one can make charges against you stick.
3. God has already justified you — declared you not guilty, righteous.
4. God — the highest court of appeal, and the highest, most supreme of courts — has already rendered his verdict.

No One Can Condemn You (03:19–08:42)
1. Christ Jesus died for you (Romans 8:34, cf. Romans 8:1–4). Your guilt has been paid for, endured by Jesus.
2. Christ Jesus rose from the dead (Romans 8:34). God’s saving work on the cross was vindicated (proved to be successful) by the resurrection. No matter how painful and gruesome your circumstances are here, you have not been condemned by God.
3. Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34). If God has so honored him, he will honor the work he did for you at the cross.
4. Christ Jesus is interceding for you now (Romans 8:34; cf. John 17:9, 15–17). Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail, and it did not utterly fail, even though it faltered for a time (Luke 22:31–32).

Summary (08:42–09:23)


Study Questions:
1. If you are in Christ, no one can bring any charge against you. What does this mean, and how does Paul defend that promise?
2. If you are in Christ, no one can condemn you. What evidence does Paul give for this promise (four points)?
3. Read John 17:9, 15–17 and Luke 22:31–32. How do those verses help you understand what it means for Christ to intercede for you?

Piper: “In Christ, God — the highest, most supreme court — has already rendered his verdict for you: righteous.”


‘The Greatest Chapter’ Series:
This lab is part of a series through Romans 8. Taking a verse or two at a time, John Piper unfolds the other-worldly realities in these thirty-nine verses, all along pointing out general, practical principles for understanding and applying the Bible’s meaning. Visit ‘The Greatest Chapter’ series page to see all the labs in this series.