If you are a fan of sports of any kind, you're definitely familiar with instant replay. Whether you're in person at the game or watching it on the TV, instant replay allows officials, umpires, or referees as well as the viewers to see a play up close and slowly. Even more recently, this technology is now being used to fix calls that may have been mistakenly made in the game since now we can review them up close and personal to see if the call was correct.
This past weekend, I was watching a baseball game where the outfielder dove for the ball and made an incredible catch. Or, at least it looked like a catch. Because there was some confusion and uncertainty about whether or not the ball was caught, the other team challenged the play. So because they challenged it, it means the umpires have watch the play on instant replay up close and on repeat. They have the ability to replay it over and over from every single camera angle.
I have always thought that's got to be excruciating for the player in question as you're sitting there hoping that the call on the field won't be reversed. But, as it turns out, it wasn't a catch after careful review because the ball clearly touched the ground before it landed in his glove.
However, this situation got me thinking: How many times in your life have you replayed things from your past over and over from every single camera angle, slow motion without mercy? I want to give you some good news. In Paul's letter to the Romans in Chapter 8, Verse 1, it says:
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," - Romans 8:1
That means the ruling on your life which is vindicated, justified, child, and beloved can never be reversed. When you make another mistake and you go back and you read this verse, it's still going to say, "therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
God doesn't use instant replay for us, so neither should we.