No Technicalities

 

In the world we live in, a person can be found guilty or innocent despite the truth. Prosecutors look for any angle to convict while defense attorneys look for any loophole to help their clients “get off”. Many times, only the victim, the accused and God know what the real truth is. Where does that leave the bystanders and the jurors? They must look at all the facts and evidence presented by both sides and try to draw an honest and reasonable conclusion for their own conscience’s sake. I’ve seen the time that the bystander and the juror never felt 100% certain about the outcome of trial.

[1 Corinthians 4:5] “…judge nothing before he appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.”  That will never happen on the Day of Judgment. Everyone will know the good and the bad as there will be nothing hidden. “Nothing is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). There are many other Scriptures that show that there will be full disclosure and a fair hearing on the Day of Judgment. Does that mean that we aren’t to assess our life from time to time? No. We do the best we can in an honest and fair fashion. “Test everything. Hold on to the good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Think about what the Lord said in Revelation 2:2, “I know your deeds, your hard work, and your perseverance. I know you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not and have found them false.” The Lord commended the brethren who tested people and their actions and words. That isn’t un-Christian. It is just prudent behavior. We must always be fair in our assessments. Sometimes they must be made. Nevertheless, no matter what conclusions we reach, we can take comfort that one day the Most Righteous Judge will mete out justice. There will be no slick defense attorney or unfair prosecutor. The guilty will be prosecuted. The faithful will be rewarded. Which side of judgment do you stand on this day?

Captain John Callender of the Massachusetts Militia was found guilty of cowardice at the Battle of Bunker Hill. George Washington had to order his court martial. Callender re-enlisted in the Army as a private, and at the Battle of Long Island exhibited such conspicuous courage that Washington publicly revoked the previous sentence and restored his captaincy. It’s the same way in the Lord’s army. We can start over. We may feel that our actions and deeds are such that seeking to live for Jesus is useless. We try, and then stumble. We try, and then do something that seems to blot out that effort and we want to simply quit. But it’s never too late to start over while breath is still in us.

[1 John 1:9] “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Peter was one who went to sleep when the Lord needed him, denied the Lord, and followed him from a distance. Yet in the beginning of the church, who preached the first sermon? Who was the strong leader among the disciples in the early history of the church? It was Peter! For many of us who have failed Jesus as often as Peter did, we would have said we can’t start again, But Peter demonstrated that we can try again and succeed. Each new day is an opportunity to start over. The sight of the rising sun is a beautiful reminder that we have a new and marvelous beginning ahead of us. It is an opportunity to overcome the mistakes and wrong doings of yesterday. Don’t get discouraged when you do not live up to the goals you set for yourself. It's not too late to set new goals with the salvation of Christ in mind – and start over.