This week on Things Unseen, we've been thinking about one of the greatest passages in the New Testament, Romans chapter 8, verses 31 to 35.

And we've been particularly thinking about the fact that the questions Paul asks all begin

with the personal pronoun who when we might expect the impersonal pronoun what.

It's not what can be against us or what charge can be brought against God's elect.

It's who, who. And now there's a third question.

And once again, it's not what can condemn us? It's who, who can condemn us?

Now at first sight with this question, we might think that Paul is simply repeating himself.

After all, there doesn't seem to be much difference

between an accusation of guilt and condemnation, does there?

Many of us feel condemned the moment anyone accuses us.

But there is a difference.

The accusation is that we're guilty of something.

The condemnation is the result of being found guilty.

It's about the sentence that follows the verdict.

It's about the imprisonment that results from being found guilty. And this is intriguing, isn't it?

Because if Paul has already said that no accusation against us can stick when God has justified

us in Christ, why does he need to bother talking about condemnation?

Well, here's the answer, I think. Logically, that may seem to be true. Father talking about condemnation.

Well, here's the answer, I think.

Logically, that may seem to be true.

But spiritually, it isn't always like that, is it?

Precisely because our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking

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