Think about the difference between the verdict of not-guilty and innocent.  “Innocent means that you did not commit the crime. Not Guilty means that there was not sufficient evidence to determine that you did commit the crime. Reasonable doubt is what defense attorneys hammer into jurors’ heads.” (Melissa Martin: Not guilty vs. innocent: What’s the difference? | AP News – accessed 4/30/2022, Nov 2018 article written by Melissa Martin, APNews Staff Writer)

Let’s say I’m in a courtroom. I’m being charged with all my sins, all the wrongdoings of my life, past, present and future. Now let’s say that Jesus comes in and takes all my sin upon Himself, paying the debt for me. It’s amazing news, isn’t it? He did that for me and for you.

Two Verdict Choices

Now, two verdicts are possible in my case: not-guilty and innocent. Which one is right? Well, God knows and I know that I committed the sins. So I assume that the judgment in my case is not-guilty, since the evidence in my case has been removed by Jesus, and no one can prove that I committed the sin-crimes. It makes the most sense, right?

If my verdict of sin is not-guilty, then I am still under the weight of previous sins committed, and everyone will know that I might have or could have still committed the crime, but that perhaps I got off on a technicality. I’ll still be treated as though I am guilty in many people’s minds, and I’d be under tremendous shame. Guilt and shame…. the infamous duo.

However, to be declared innocent is different. Let’s see what the Word of God has to say about that. Most people have heard of Romans 3:23, but I wonder how many people keep reading.

“…And [all] are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:24-26 ESV)

What Does This Mean

Let’s review a few of these terms and then try to summarize in simpler language.

From blueletterbible.org:

• justified = to declare one to be righteous, innocent, faultless, guiltless
• redemption = to let one go free on receiving the price
• propitiation = the mercy seat, a substitute sacrifice for sins, thank offering 
• righteous = the state of being accepted by God
• forbearance = holding back, self-restraint
• just = innocent, faultless, guiltless
• God’s righteousness = integrity, virtue, correctness of thinking, feeling and acting

“The ‘all’ who fell short are the same ‘all’ who are now declared to be righteous and innocent by God’s grace. It’s his love gift to you, paid for by Jesus Himself.  God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit had a meeting, and they decided that Jesus would be the substitute sacrifice for all sin. Using His own perfect blood, He let us all go free. All we do is say “yes!” by faith, by believing Him at His word.  

This amazing act showed us God’s integrity and the correctness of His thinking. Since He knows all things, He chose to restrain Himself until the sacrifice of Jesus was made for sins. He says this is the correct mindset for these present times. He is faultless and guiltless, and he declares us who believe in Jesus as innocent, just-as-if we had never sinned.” (Romans 3:24-26 Brett version)

We Are Declared Innocent

So we see that Jesus declares us innocent. Instead of being “not-guilty,” set free from punishment but still walking under feelings of guilt and shame, we are declared “innocent.”

If I’m declared innocent of all my sin, then there’s no guilt or no shame associated with it, with myself or with anyone else (ideally). If it’s proven that I’m innocent, no one can still say I’m guilty or that I actually committed any crime, and if they do, they’ve got problems.

What’s more, if you are declared innocent, then how should I look at you? As still guilty, placing shame on you for something that’s been proven you didn’t do? No, of course not. If the deed was still done, then who did it? Jesus took all of that junk upon Himself, becoming the substitution for you and for me, as if you had never sinned one little bit in your whole life.

When Does This Happen

Does this occur at salvation only, in the past? Is this only for some far off future? No, His righteousness is shown “at the present time.” He is correct in His thinking and proper in His declaration: You and I are innocent. Right now. As long as right now is the present time. 

Isn’t God’s grace-gift so completely amazing? Doesn’t it lift the burden off your back? Doesn’t it make you wonder: if your sins and wrong-doing are completely removed, how do they get put back on your shoulders? Why do we still feel guilty? Whose voice are we listening to? Whose voice should we listen to? Keep these questions in mind as we look at another Scripture on innocence.

Work Out Your Own Salvation

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” (Philippians 2:12-16 ESV)

“So now work out your own salvation”: the word for salvation is ‘soteria’, “freedom from the molestation of enemies.” AKA deliverance. This is salvation for the soul. Deliverance is kicking out demons from your soul (the mind, will and emotions). I believe it also encompasses healing of the soul, otherwise known as inner healing. The responsibility is on us to do this spiritual work. But it says God works in us. The word is ‘energeo.’ He provides the energy and the power; the blood of Jesus Christ contains all the power we need to kick out accusers from our minds.

How The Lord Works Out Our Salvation

The Lord works out our salvation from the inside out. Another word translated as salvation is ‘sozo,’ which is spirit, soul, and body salvation. It starts with your rebirth upon believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Presence of God literally comes inside the room of your spirit. The next outer layer of your being is your soul. Your soul needs to be delivered from agreements with demons and worldly, unspiritual thinking. Additionally, your soul also needs repairing in a process called sanctification through a washing of the water of the Word over your life, through inner healing, through fellowship with believers, through prayer and closeness with Jesus.

What Does It Mean To Grumble

“So now work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing…”

The word for “grumbling” (gong-goos-mos) means “a secret displeasure not openly spoken” or “a secret debate.” This is the incessant noise of the mind taking offense and holding onto it, along with resentment; it’s the puffing up of the mind.

Whereas, disputing is the inner debate of doubt, hesitation, and arguing. Moreover, it’s deliberating amongst yourself, questioning whether or not all of this Jesus-stuff is true.

What Is The Solution

Unquestionably, the solution is this: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Put to death the deeds of the flesh. Put on the righteousness of Christ. See yourself as God sees you: innocent!

And that’s what the Scripture says next: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be (prove yourselves to be; to become; to appear) blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life…”

As you start to believe what God believes about you, you will start to behave as what you actually are: blameless and innocent. What you are in Heaven right now, innocent, starts manifesting on the Earth, just as Jesus prayed, “may Your Kingdom come and Your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

The blessing of Paul for the Thessalonians:

“Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 ESV)

Things To Think About

Q1 – Do you see yourself as “not-guilty” or “innocent?”  Explain.

Q2 – Is it ok to see yourself as innocent if God sees you this way? Why or why not?

Q3 – God’s grace is the power to conquer all sin in your life.  How can you meditate on his grace gift so that sin stays dead in your life?

Q4 – Is there a deliverance that you need? Is there an incessant accuser in your mind that you want to kick out?

Prayer

Psalms 19:12-14 (ESV) “Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”  In the amazing Identity of Jesus Christ, Amen!