This word “vindication” is a powerful one. To vindicate is to clear of blame, to acquit. Vindication however is a bit different that acquittal. To be acquitted is to be rendered a verdict of not guilty of charges made. But in a sense, vindication is a more powerful word. A dictionary definition is this: “persons that have been subjected to critical attack or imputation of guilt, weakness, or folly, and implies a clearing effected by proving the unfairness of such criticism or blame.”
Proof of the unfairness of a critical attack. Vindication doubles back upon the one who made the critical attack and shows that they were the guilty ones, they were the ones who were unfair. Vindication is proof of it.
Every true child of God, that is to say – everyone who has been born again through faith in Christ – is hated by the world. If we truly stand for Christ, we are going to be maligned, accused, attacked, blamed. The Lord promises vindication for us. In fact, He says that it is our right of inheritance! Here it is straight from God’s own Word:
No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD. (Isa 54:17)
It is your heritage. And the Lord will see that we come into that inheritance. We shall be vindicated. It is a certainty.
Looking forward to that day!
This reminds me of Saul of Tarsus when he was persecuting the church. Jesus said, ‘why are you persecuting ME?’ Jesus identifies Himself so intensely with us that when we’re maligned, Jesus is maligned. When they sin against us, they sin against God. We are guaranteed vindication because God will vindicate Himself.
We are the body of Christ, and therefore one with Him.