Our High Ground

For several weeks now, we’ve been talking about how as Christians we are locked in a spiritual battle. But one thing we’ve learned over these past few weeks is that this is not a battle in which Satan holds the high ground. We are the ones holding the high ground. Jesus has won that high ground for us. All we need to do is to stand our ground. But how often do we find ourselves getting knocked off that high ground? And so instead of living victoriously, we’re constantly walking around feeling discouraged and defeated in our Christian lives.

I know I used to live that way. But after several years of living a pretty defeated life, something happened that completely changed everything for me as a Christian. Sometime when I was in high school, I started memorizing Romans 8. It’s the first and only time in my life I ever memorized a Bible passage that long. I don’t remember exactly, but it probably took me several weeks or months to do it. But when I was finished, it completely changed the ground that I was standing on as a Christian. Or rather, it showed me the ground that I had been on all along, and I just didn’t know it. I still clearly remember walking from the bus stop to my school one day, just reciting those verses in my head. And joy just swept all over me.

Do you have that joy in your life? Do you want that joy in your life? It starts with knowing the high ground that you stand on. But just as importantly, we need to know when and where that high ground was won for us. It was won 2000 years ago on a hill called Calvary. Let’s take a look at John chapter 19.

We’re looking at Jesus’ final moments on the cross. Look what happened in verses 28-30.

Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty.” …When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:28-30)

“It is finished!” What did Jesus mean by that? What exactly was finished? What was finished was Jesus’ work that brought about our salvation. You see, on that cross, God poured all his wrath toward us and our sin on Jesus. I can’t say for sure, but I would say that probably happened during that period of three hours where the sky grew completely dark even though it was midday. (Matthew 27:45)

It’s interesting, in the Old Testament, it talks about the light of God’s face shining on those he blesses (Numbers 6:25-26, Psalm 67:1, 80:3, 89:15). Was it just coincidence then that the whole sky turned dark while God’s wrath was poured out on Jesus? Was it coincidence that Jesus quoted Psalm 22, crying out, “My God, my God, why have your forsaken me?” I don’t think so.

But now, every last drop of God’s wrath had been poured out on Jesus. And so after all was done, Jesus cried out, “It is finished.” I don’t think Jesus was just gasping a sigh of relief, “Thank goodness this is over.” Matthew tells us he gave a great shout as he died (Matthew 27:50). I think he was shouting in triumph. “IT IS FINISHED!”

And after that, John tells us that he gave up his spirit. In other words, Jesus chose the time and place of his death. He didn’t have to die for us. He could’ve just let us go to hell. But he chose to die in our place. And in doing so he finished the work God had sent him to do. What was the result? We find that answer in Matthew 27:51.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:51)

What was the significance of that? In a sense, the temple was a symbol of God’s presence to the Jews. But in another sense, the temple itself was a barrier between God and his people because only the priests actually ever entered the temple building itself. And only the high priest entered the deepest region of the temple called the Most Holy Place where God was said to dwell. What’s more, the high priest could only enter once a year, bringing a sacrifice of blood to pay for the sins of the people. But something happened when Jesus died on that cross. Take a look at Hebrews 9:11-12.

When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

The writer of Hebrews then explains this a little more in verses 24-26.

For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

What is the writer saying? He’s saying that Jesus entered not a mere man-made sanctuary, but he entered directly into the throne room of God. And when he did, he offered for our sins his own blood shed on the cross. And unlike the blood of goats and calves which had to be offered year after year because it couldn’t really take away sin, Jesus’ blood has dealt with our sin forever! No more sacrifices are needed! We’re completely forgiven. The curtain that separated us from God is now open and we have free access to God.

That’s the ground that Jesus won for us. That’s the ground we stand on now. We stand on the high ground of Calvary.

What is the result of this ground Christ won and that we now stand on? The apostle Paul explains a lot of this for us in his letter to the Romans, and especially in chapter 8. So let’s take a look.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… (Romans 8:1)

One of Satan’s favorite lies is: “God’s angry with you. You’re no good. You’re a miserable wretch. You’ll never measure up to God’s standards.”

The thing about Satan’s lies is that they are often mixed with truth. We never will measure up to God’s standards here on earth. Paul himself talks about that struggle in Romans 7. He said, “I don’t understand myself! So often, the good I want to do, I end up not doing. The evil I don’t want to do, I end up doing. What a miserable wretch I am!” Do you ever feel that way? This was one of the greatest apostles of Jesus saying this! But what is the truth?

The truth is: If you have put your faith in Christ, you are not condemned. Why not? Because Jesus was condemned on the cross in our place. That’s what Paul talks about in in verses 2-5. Because of our own weakness and sinfulness, the law was powerless to make us righteous in God’s sight. All the law could do was point out our sin and condemn us. But what the law couldn’t do, God did by sending Jesus for us.

God’s law requires sin be punished. Jesus fulfilled that law when he was punished on the cross for us. God’s law requires a perfectly righteous life. Jesus lived that perfect life from his birth all the way to his death. And now he’s given his record of righteousness to us. Not only that, as we walk with Jesus, learning to follow the leading of his Spirit moment to moment, day to day, we will start to become more like Jesus.

But that doesn’t stop Satan from accusing us, does it? Especially when we go through hard times. Another of his favorite lies is, “Look at how much you’re suffering. God must hate you! God must be punishing you!”

But what is the truth? Look at verses 15-17.

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (15-17)

We’re not slaves that God beats every time we fail. Nor are we the children of an abusive father. We are the children of a Father who loves us. We don’t have to fear God. We can approach him with the total confidence of a small child loved by their Father. I’ve shown this picture before, but it's one of my favorite pictures of my daughter Yumi and me. I love it because you can see the total trust and joy Yumi has walking with her daddy.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t really have that with my own father when I was a kid. I was scared to death of him because he had such a short temper. I was always afraid of being punished by him. And it took years before our relationship got repaired to the point I didn’t fear him anymore. And so when my daughter was born, I really wanted her to know she could approach me freely.

My daughter’s a teenager now, so sadly, she doesn’t radiate that joy of walking with Daddy anymore. But I think, I hope she still knows that I love her and that she can approach me freely. That’s the kind of relationship we have with God.

But I want you to notice something else, “Paul says that we are God’s children, heirs of God and coheirs with Christ...if indeed we suffer with him.

See, the truth is, being God’s child doesn’t mean you will never suffer. Some people say, “Christ suffered so that we don’t have to.” Well, in the sense that we don’t have to suffer eternal punishment from God, that’s true. But it doesn’t mean that we won’t suffer at all. Why not? Because we still live in a broken world filled with broken people. That means sometimes we’ll suffer simply for following Christ. People’s sins affect us. But so do our own. God does not punish us for our sins, but there are natural negative consequences that come from our sin that affects us, others, and the world around us.

Paul tells us in verses 18-23 that this whole creation is groaning because of sin. And we all groan along with it. But through all our suffering, here’s our hope: our suffering is not meaningless. Our groaning is not the groans of death. Paul says it’s the groaning of childbirth. There is purpose to our suffering. And the end is something glorious. At the end of our suffering is new life. Paul says the day is coming when our bodies will be redeemed, never again sinning. Never again getting sick, suffering, or dying. That’s why in verse 18, Paul can say,

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

So whenever you go through suffering, here’s the truth: God is not punishing you. Far from it, he’s on your side, especially in your times of sufferings. Look at verses 26-28.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (26-28)

Those last words are among the most famous in the Bible. But there is a context for them. What’s the context? God the Holy Spirit is on our side. And when we are struggling so much that we don’t even know how to pray anymore, he prays for us. More importantly, he prays for us according to God’s will. That’s why we can say with certainty, “God works out all things for the good of those who love him.” Because God the Holy Spirit himself is interceding for us and is working on our behalf.

So don’t let Satan lie to you and say, “God is condemning you. God must be punishing you.” Stand your ground. And just in case, that ground still isn’t clear to us yet, Paul makes it crystal clear. Take a look at verses 29-30.

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called… (29-30)

Those words are pretty amazing. Satan would tell us that we are insignificant. That we’re unworthy of God’s love and attention. What’s the truth? God knew us before we were born. He knew us before this universe was even created. And way back then, knowing us as completely as he did, he chose and predestined us to be like Jesus. I remember the first time I really thought about the implication of those words. They blew me away. “God knew me before I was even born? He knew all my weaknesses. He knew all my faults. He knew all the ways I’d fail him. He knew all the sins I’d commit. And he still chose me? That’s awesome.”

Satan may call you insignificant and worthless. But the truth is that God says you’re significant and valuable in his eyes. Significant and valuable enough that he sent his Son to die on a cross for you. Significant and valuable enough to choose you and call you to be his own.

But that’s not all. Look at the last half of verse 30.

those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (30b)

Satan would tell you that you are not good enough. That God is a Father that is never satisfied. That he’s always disappointed in you. Have any of you ever had a father like that? What’s the truth? The truth is that God justifies us. He’s taken Christ’s perfect “report card” of righteousness and given it to us. The truth is, the day is coming when he will glorify us, and we will be just like Jesus, perfect and sinless.

Those are mind-blowing truths. Paul himself was blown away. Look at the wonder of his words in verses 31-34.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Romans 8:31-34)

Think about this a moment. I said before that the Holy Spirit is on our side. But here we see that the Father and the Son are on our side too. Who is going to accuse us? Not the Father. He is the one justifying us. Who’s going to condemn us? Not Jesus. He is the one interceding for and defending us. Imagine standing as a defendant in a courtroom and the judge and the prosecuting attorney are both on your side, defending you. What do you think your chances are that you’ll be condemned? Zero! And then Paul asks the ultimate question. Verse 35.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." (35-36)

Paul is quoting there from Psalm 44. And if you read it, it’s a pretty depressing song. Because it seems that God has abandoned his people. The psalmist basically says, “You know, I could understand our suffering if we had turned our backs on you. But we haven’t. God why are you sleeping? Get up. Help us!”

And the thing is, there is no answer to the psalmist’s cry, at least not in that psalm. But Paul takes that psalm and gives us the ending. Verse 37.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

We all go through suffering. And sometimes we can’t understand why God is allowing us to go through it all. But God hasn’t abandoned us. He isn’t punishing us. He’s on our side. And through Jesus who loved us enough to go to the cross, we will overcome. And not only overcome, we’ll overwhelmingly overcome. We'll be more than conquerors over any trial or any attack Satan throws at us. Paul then wraps all these truths up in verses 38-39.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (38-39)

That’s the ground we stand on. That’s the ground Jesus won for us on Calvary. So whenever Satan tries to knock you off that ground, stand firm. Whenever Satan tries to tell you that you’re not good enough, that God must hate you, that God must be punishing you, stand your ground.

I am not condemned.

I am a child of God.

I’m significant, valuable in God’s eyes.

He knew me and chose me before time began.

He’s called me to be his child.

He’s not constantly disappointed in me.

He’s justified me.

I may be weak and sinful. But I’m not a hopeless cause.

Because God will glorify me. And I will be like Jesus someday.

I may be suffering now, but it’s not all meaningless.

I have hope.

God’s not punishing me.

God is on my side. The Father is on my side. Jesus is on my side. The Holy Spirit is on my side.

And nothing will ever, ever separate me from his love.

Can I make a suggestion? Take the time to memorize Romans 8. You don’t have to memorize all of it like I did. (Actually, I have to do a refresher on a some of the middle parts). But memorize the sections I’ve put on the screen. Do it a little at a time. Take a week or two for each section. And as you memorize each section, put it together with the other parts that you memorized. God’s words have power. They have even more power when you make them part of your heart and mind, thinking and meditating on them. And as you do, you will stand your ground.