e-mail 10/6/6

Something few people know about me is that I enjoy the study of law. I love God's law and I also enjoy the study of man's law and the Judicial system. I find man's law intriguing and often in absolute contrast to God's law. This causes a lot of conflict with many who try to ride the fence and be pleasing to God while trying to get away with as much as they can and still be called a Christian.

When I was in high school and court was in session (twice a year), I would hurry after school to the courthouse and listen. In recent months having Court TV every day has been very enjoyable for me. I enjoy hearing the cases, learning the law, watching the interaction between all the players in each case and besides,it is educational.

Watching a recent trial has made me think more about a trial where we might stand before the Judge. I want you to imagine yourself in the courtroom. The charges are read and you do not speak. You sit quietly while all the charges are brought before the court and you are the defendant knowing that you are guilty as charged. James 2:10 says "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." Therefore, according to the law of God, we stand guilty.

The Judge who hears our case is the Lord God, Jehovah, the creator of all, the author and finisher of all things. He alone will make the final decision about our destiny for eternity.The one who prosecutes your case is Satan. From Revelation 12:9-10, we know that "Satan, the deceiver for the whole world...is the accuser of all of the brethren...he stands before the Righteous Judge accusing the brethren day and night." With his loud, obnoxious voice, he argues: "They are thieves, they are murderers, they are hypocrites, adulterers. They do not love one another, they lie. They claim to be good but they are bad through and through. They were born into sin and in sin they will die. They went to church, big deal,it meant nothing. Could you not see how they treated one another the rest of the week? They are mine!!! And I will not give up. They are guilty!"

Sitting beside us is our defense. His name is Jesus. 1 John 2:1 says "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous."

He stands before the Judge and begins His case on our behalf. "Father, it is true that this one has committed sin and they have confessed their sin, but the price has already been paid. They cannot be charged for sin again because it is all covered in the plea agreement that was made between Your Honor and Me when the defendant accepted our terms, "Believe on the Lod Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved". They know and confessed that I came and paid the price for their sin by giving My life as a ransom. Father, the charges have been put on my account, it is paid and they are not guilty."

We are standing on Holy ground as The Judge uses His gavel and declares "Not Guilty, Go and Sin no more". Those who fill the courtroom stand and rejoice with "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments."

Now, the arguments are over. When you stand before God, will you have an advocate before the Judge? Will Jesus speak on your behalf? If you are saved already, Jesus has already presented your case before God. Our judgment has already been decided and we know that we have eternal life. In this life, we will suffer consequences for sin but Jesus has paid for our eternity.

If you are not saved, there will be a judgment, only the scenario above will not come out with the same verdict. There will be no defense because there are no excuses allowed in God's courtroom. Instead there will be the awful and terrible words, "depart from me, for I never knew you". Revelation 20:12&15 says, "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works by the things which were written in the books...And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.As Christians we have an obligation to share the truth of God's Word. We have an obligation to warn our friends, neighbors,family and everyone we can that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Let us not be found guilty of not...

Sharing God's Love,
Peggy