Creator, Father, King #267

There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Yaaarrr, mateys! It’s time for dueling cannon fire, clanging swords, and a swashbuckling tale of pirate adventure on the high seas. It’s time for the exciting—and ultimately tragic—story of Captain Kidd.

Born in Scotland in 1645, William Kidd eventually became a privateer, which was a different occupation than piracy in the seventeenth century . . . sort of. Nations such as England (which Kidd worked for) would commission (but usually not pay) privateers such as Kidd to attack ships of commerce from countries that they were at war with. The understanding was that the privateers could help themselves to the ship’s booty.

Kidd, though, made a fatal choice in 1698 when he attacked the large Armenian ship Quedagh Merchant, which was partly owned by a minister in the Indian government who complained to powerful English officials. Kidd was denounced as a pirate, arrested, brought to trial, and condemned to death by hanging on May 23, 1701. To discourage piracy, his corpse was left to rot publicly in a cage along the River Thames.

In the end, William Kidd was a condemned man. Those who had been his friends in the English government turned against him. No one came to his defense, and he died a terrible death, without friends and without hope.

Praise God this is not the reality for anyone who follows Christ!

What’s It Mean?

Today’s verse proclaims one of the Bible’s greatest truths: all true Christians will never face condemnation of any sort from God.

You will go through moments of guilt and shame over sin. You will feel remorse over regrettable actions and words you wish you could take back. Satan, the great “accuser of our brothers and sisters” (Revelation 12:10) will hurl spiritual indictments at you, asking you in sinister whispers, “How can you call yourself a Christian?” But Satan is a liar, and we “have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 12:11).

Remember, child of God, you will never experience condemnation from your heavenly Father—either in this life or the one to come. That’s because Christ stood condemned in your place on the cross. He fully paid the price of your sins so you wouldn’t have to. Now you can fully experience God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness without fear of wrath or condemnation.

No Kidd-ing!

Now What?

When you do sin, turn to the encouraging truths of 2 Corinthians 7:10 and 1 John 1:9.

Did You Know?

To this day, some people think part of Captain Kidd’s treasure is hidden somewhere in the Caribbean.