AUGUST 27

The Facts of the Case

Bible Reading: Romans 8

Romans 8:33-34a, “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?  It is God who justifies.  Who is to condemn?”

“Guilty, vile and helpless we, spotless Lamb of God is He.  Full atonement, can it be?  Hallelujah, what a Savior!”

There was no need for an affidavit.  No need for probable cause to obtain a search warrant.  No need for human witnesses. The God who knows all and sees all, understands all about your sins—“no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).

In the Divine Courtroom every human being stands guilty before the just and perfect Creator of all, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). There can be no appeal. The guilty verdict stands, as does the righteous judgment—“the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

So, what are any of us to do?  There’s nothing on our own which can be done.  The fact of our guilt is undeniable.  The punishment is unavoidable.  No amount of pleading or begging, or excuse-making can change the course of this just verdict.  We are helpless and hopeless to do anything.  There can be no acquittal.

Yet in the courtroom stands One who has purposed to intervene on our behalf.  Sent from God Himself, He “came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).  In His preeminent act of love, by His once for all sacrifice for sins, He came to bear the punishment we deserve.  “By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands,” having nailed it to the cross, He has absolved the guilt of all who trust in Him (Colossians 2:14).  “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through out Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).  On the merit of Christ’s sacrifice, the believer in Christ has been declared righteous, and that verdict stands and is irrevokable for those who are in Him!

That doesn’t stop Satan, the accuser of the brethren, from making accusations against the child of God (Revelation 12:10).  “Guilty,” he cries out. “You are forever doomed,” he declares!  In one sense, his accusations are valid, for we do still sin.  But Satan gets nowhere in his charges because God has already dismissed the charges against us.  The Righteous Judge himself has once-for-all declared the believer righteous on the basis of his faith in Jesus Christ, and His once-for-all sacrifice for sins.  No past sins, no present sins, and no future sins can work to change God’s verdict!

Martin Luther commented on this, “When the devil accuses us and says, ‘You are a sinner and therefore damned,’ we should answer, ‘Because you say I am a sinner, I will be righteous and saved.’  ‘No,’ says the devil, ‘you will be damned.’  And I reply, ‘No, for I fly to Christ, who gave himself for my sins.  Satan, you will not prevail against me when you try to terrify me by setting forth the greatness of my sins and try to bring me into heaviness, distrust, despair, hatred, contempt and blasphemy against God.  On the contrary, when you say I am a sinner, you give me armor and weapons against yourself, so that with your own sword I may cut your throat and tread you under my feet, for Christ died for sinners. . . . As often as you object that I am a sinner, so often you remind me of the benefit of Christ my Redeemer, on whose shoulders, and not on mine, lie all my sins.  So when you say I am a sinner, you do not terrify me but comfort me immeasurably.’”

HALLELUJAH, WHAT A SAVIOR!

Man of sorrows what a name
for the Son of God, who came
ruined sinners to reclaim:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned he stood,
sealed my pardon with his blood:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Guilty, helpless, lost were we;
blameless Lamb of God was he,
sacrificed to set us free:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

He was lifted up to die;
“It is finished” was his cry;
now in heaven exalted high:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

When he comes, our glorious King,
all his ransomed home to bring,
then anew this song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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