Pronounced innocent twice - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1.

Pronounced innocent twice
Philip was the director of a commercial enterprise known for its honesty. He enjoyed a good reputation and led a pleasant, peaceful life free of worry. But he didn't need God - so he thought.

Then a gang of criminals started plundering the firm's lorries. Philip was arrested and charged with being the leader of the gang. In fact he was absolutely innocent. His lawyer was on holiday, and all his friends turned their back on him.

In custody Philip was given a book of devotional Christian readings. The daily messages reminded him of God. They also made him recall sins that he had committed and had made him guilty. And he was confronted with the love of God, who wished to redeem him through Jesus Christ.

A judge studied his file, and Philip was given the chance to speak to him about all that annoyed him. The judge was a convinced Christian, and spoke about Jesus Christ during the course of the conversation. He told Philip that Christ was the only righteous Person and had died on behalf of the unrighteous and had risen again.

As far as the charge against him went, Philip was innocent. But through this conversation he became aware that he was a sinner before God and needed Jesus to be saved. He confessed his guilt before God and accepted Jesus as his Redeemer.

A few days later Philip's innocence was recognised and he was released from jail. He had been pronounced innocent twice: from false accusations and freed from God's condemnation, for Jesus had taken that upon Himself for him.

Today's reading: Exodus 22:1-31 · Luke 9:1-9