Innocent in Christ
This morning as I was getting ready for work I was listening to Third Day on my iPod. The song “Innocent” came on and it made me feel very blessed to know that Jesus has saved me.
It seemed like I had run out of second chances
And they sentenced me to die
And I was just like a dead man walking
I was running out of time
But you came to me and opened my eyes
You gave me a brand new life
I am innocent and I have been set free
I no longer have chains around my feet
And no matter where I go or what they say
I am innocent
I can still remember what it feels like to be in spiritual chains, to feel like there was no hope. I once was “just like a dead man walking” as I lived in the darkness of depression without the saving grace of Christ in my life.
But now I have been set free. No matter what comes my way, I am innocent in the eyes of God. I have chosen to accept the atoning sacrifice of Jesus and so when God looks my way, He sees the Righteousness — the innocence — of Christ instead of my guilt. This thought just makes me smile.
The Apostle Paul is one who was guilty of persecuting Christians before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. But after that encounter, he became zealous for Christ and understood that it was Christ only who makes us righteous. He wrote to the church at Corinth:
I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. 1 Corinthians 4:3-5.
He knew that he would receive his praise from God because of his faith in Christ, and because of that faith alone. Even though he lived an upright life and his conscience was clear, he knew this was not what made him innocent in the eyes of God. It was because of the brand new life he had found in Jesus that he was set free.
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Linda,
What a wonderful post which shows the magnitude of His grace which makes us innocent…I was a prisoner too..and was that dead man..but on that wonderful day that I accepted Him as my savior, I was set free…considered innocent…
I never know how much it cost
To see my sins upon that cross
Yes..I never know the cost of my sins…because He paid it full and to make me innocent..he became the guilty…GRACE alone saved you and me…
Love,
Rani
Rani, I love that song, but never thought of it the way you summed it up: “I never know the cost of my sins…because He paid it full.” I am so grateful for His Grace. Peace, Linda
I love that, being innocent in His eyes! The whole world condemns, but not our Lord. Thank you Linda, for encouraging us to be free and innocent in Him today! love, deb
Linda,
One cannot truly understand and be grateful for the gift of forgiveness and grace unless they were once a prisoner. Being bound by the chains of sin at one time is what makes you delight in the freedom of the Spirit. What is funny is this, when I was living freely in the world, I was bound by the chains of sin, but when I submitted to God through the Son I finally knew what freedom was through the peace of the Spirit. God Bless
Jim
Jim, Oh yes, the “freedom of the world” is such an illusion, isn’t it? But until you know true freedom of the Spirit you don’t really understand. Thanks for your insightful comment. Peace, Linda