Threefold Innocence

Threefold Innocence

Part 2

2) Next, we are being accused for everything we say and do; things that we afterwards see and realize we should have said and done differently and better. We wanted to do the very best, but afterwards we see clearly that we have not done it in the very best way; on the contrary, we have done and said bad and stupid things that we absolutely did not want to do and say.

The unspeakably wise and devout apostle Paul has given a wonderful explanation for it. This explanation is surely one of the wisest things that have ever been spoken or written: “But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” Rom. 7:17. This is just as easy and simple as it is profound. It is obvious that if I have not done it, then I cannot be guilty either. Therefore I am innocent? Yes, it would be unreasonable to say anything else. It is just as true as the fact that Hansen cannot be held accountable for the wrong Pettersen has done.

What is the explanation? How can it be justly said that “I” have not done what I have done? Man does not just consist of only a body, but of spirit, soul, and body. My body has certainly done it, but my spirit and my mind have not approved it and did not agree to it. It is not my “body, soul, and spirit” that have done it; in other words, it is not “I” who has done it, but rather my body. The deed was driven forth by or contaminated by that part of indwelling sin about which I am still not enlightened, and therefore I cannot control or hinder it from being manifested. For, I do not realize what I am doing. Romans 7:15, line one.

This is precisely why it is not “I” who is doing it; my mind is not at all in agreement with it. For this good reason the very wise Paul refers to this kind of work as deeds of the “body,” as opposed to “my” works. Rom. 8:13.

What a wonderful, righteous, and reasonable explanation and judgment of the true state of affairs! In this instance, I am also just as innocent as I was when it concerns me being born into the world. It has occurred without my participation.

Both Satan’s and people’s accusations because of my deeds of the body—everything that I in retrospect see could have been done better, or ought to have been left undone—are unjustified.

3) Of course we are being accused when we have sinned; when we have given in to evil to which we have been tempted; when we have done what we beforehand knew we absolutely should not have done; when we have fallen in sin when we did not endure in resisting sin, in saying “No” over and over again.

The intention of God’s promises is always to give us the victory without exception, to overcome as Jesus Himself has overcome! Paul says, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ . . . .” 2 Cor. 2:14.

We are already living in this precious, threefold innocence if we are living in this state, by God’s grace, and are being faithful—to God’s honor and praise, to the honor and praise of Him who has accomplished this work.

All those who persist in wholeheartedly seeking God will come to this state, for He who has called us is mighty and truthful. His promises are true!

It becomes a question of one of two things: Either you are already threefold innocent all the time, or you will soon be! Glory to God!

Even though you are not victorious when you commit a sin, even then, Satan has nothing much to say to you as long as you react in the right way. You have certainly sinned (this was not the case under points I and II), but there is more to be said about it, as it is written: “My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin. And if anyone sins [does the exact opposite of what he knows he should be doing], we have an Advocate [defense lawyer] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself [the defense lawyer!!!] is the propitiation for our sins [the sins for which we are being accused], and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2.

We should not ascribe any significance to the fact that Satan and sinful people accuse us. The words of liars weigh nothing in the scales. On the contrary, their words must be rejected. They cannot further truth and justice, unless you turn them around; so when Satan says it is hopeless, the truth is that there is plenty of hope.

Imagine if God had accused us! Imagine if Christ had accused us! On the contrary, He does the exact opposite! He speaks on our behalf; He defends us! Hallelujah!

What a marvelous defense lawyer and Advocate! Have you ever heard anything like it? Just imagine! The Advocate Himself has atoned for the sin that the accused has committed!

This results in a brief court session! All further proceedings become immediately unnecessary. The person who has sinned is immediately found innocent. The punishment has already been atoned for. The debt has been paid.

What an extraordinary Supreme Court decision!

Therefore acknowledge your sin immediately, and then it is also immediately wiped out and cast into the sea of forgetfulness. Your guilt lasted for only a moment. If you sin once in a while, you are guilty one moment once in a while. Yet if you seek God with all of your heart, my dear friend, this guilt will also soon disappear, and by God’s great grace and powerful help, you will be an innocent, lovable lamb. What a blessed sheepfold!

Already in the old covenant, David could sing, “I will walk within my house in the innocence of my heart.” Ps. 101:2. Further on in the psalm he sings, “I hate committing transgressions, they shall not cling to me.” V. 3.

How many more times do we not have a far greater and better reason to sing like this in the new covenant?

All of us have abundant opportunity to be saved like this and to be transformed so that we can walk at home and abroad in the innocence of our heart in this blessed threefold innocence:

The prerequisite is always that I love God and everything that is noble and good; that I want to depart from sin at any cost; that I am upright in seeking salvation from all sin; that I am not impudent.

Satan has a rightful hold on me if I am impudent and do not care whether I sin or not. Then it is of the utmost importance to be radically converted. In all other cases, Satan is absolutely wrong and is truly powerless in all areas. God be praised!

There are many converted people who are discouraged and downhearted simply because they were unable to resist Satan effectively, that they were unable to reject all his accusations. They lacked the necessary light, the necessary weapon, the necessary word of God shining brightly for their inner eye. Therefore I am glad and thankful to point out and emphasize these things.

Innocent, innocent, innocent—this is something other than being judged and condemned, judged and condemned, judged and condemned!

All of us are always innocent as far as points #1 and #2 are concerned. It is a little bit different when it comes to point #3 because some people are already innocent, while others are almost innocent or mostly innocent (partly innocent), and all of them can soon be perfectly innocent.

God’s grace and power are very great for us who believe! The apostle says that it is exceedingly great. Eph. 1:19. God saves and gives victory and transformation so that all human reasoning has to declare bankruptcy. It cannot comprehend it. Glory to God!