Who will answer the accuser?
WLC Part 4
Westminster Larger Catechism Question 55
Q. How doth Christ make intercession?
A. Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven, in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth, declaring his will to have it applied to all believers; answering all accusations against them, and procuring for them quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily failings, access with boldness to the throne of grace, and acceptance of their persons and services.
We now come to the fourth act of Christ’s intercession for believers, his answering all accusations against them. A single but powerful prooftext is offered, Romans 8:33-34, “Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”
Who is the accuser of God’s elect? It is our ancient foe, Satan. We see him make accusations against Job (Job 1:9-11; 2:4-6). We are told Satan’s desire was for Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat.” While we are not told of an accusation, it is likely an accusation accompanied this desire similar to the way Satan made accusations against Job. Can we provide an answer to Satan’s accusations in our defense? On what grounds would I even begin to make a defense against him? For my heart is wicked (Gen 6:5) and I was brought forth in iniquity (Psalm 51:5). No, we have no defense for our enemy's accusations against us. Even our own hearts condemn us (1 John 3:20). If not us, then who will answer the accusations of our enemy and our own heart?
Only the intercession of Jesus keeps Peter from ruin, “but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32). John’s revelation shows the accuser of the brethren defeated by the blood of the Lamb, “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death’” (Rev. 12:10).
John said that Jesus is our advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). When an accusation is made against you, “Is this pitiful believer really one of yours? She keeps sinning. She is not one of the elect. She does not love you or others the way you instruct. Surely she deserves hell and damnation!?” We’ve already discussed how the sinner can not answer such accusations. Thankfully, we have an advocate with God the Father who is able to answer on our behalf. In Hebrews 8:3-4, we read how Christ as High Priest offers gifts and sacrifices in heaven on our behalf. These are the gifts he offers his life, righteousness, and blood. They can silence all foes and accusers of the brethren and will satisfy the wrath of God. The advocate’s answer strips the accuser of his power. The enemy has no claim over those covered by the blood of the advocate. The next time your heart condemns you that you can hear Satan’s accusations against you, remember your High Priest who is your Advocate with the Father has silenced the charge against you with his own blood and intercedes on your behalf.