July 22, 2013

Romans 8:34-35 — Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

It has been on my heart to focus prayers and thoughts on the George Zimmerman / Trayvon Martin trial. However, I have been wary of approaching such a cause of bitterness and dispute. Today, though, it became clear to me that there was one aspect about which we could think, and about which we might all agree.

Today I am grateful that I will not be subject to trial by a jury of my peers when I come to the last judgement. True, they could hardly fail to be right about so many of the times I have got things wrong. But I am afraid that very often they would judge me harshly — misunderstand me — when I have really tried to get things right.

The worldly jury system so often seems to many to be mistaken. In our own recent memories we can remember George Zimmerman, Casey Anthony and O. J. Simpson. Please be clear — I am not taking a position on these verdicts, merely noticing  that they left behind them for many people a sense of justice not delivered.

All too often it seems, as Charles Dickens’ Mr. Bumble memorably said, “the law is a ass – a idiot”. In 1 Cor. 6:1-7 Paul tells Christians that they should be ashamed to go to law against each other — but also implies that the courts of the world can hardly be relied on to judge by Christian standards. In his later letter to the Corinthians Paul reminds them of something that all of us, perhaps, are increasingly aware of as we get older:

2 Cor. 4:9-10 –  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

We will all come to judgment. When we do, the heavenly “legal system” we will come before is completely different to any earthly jurisdiction.

• The counsel for the prosecution — Satan — is more skillful and wily than any earthly advocate
• There’s a one-man jury! The verdict will not be delivered by our peers, but by our master, The Lord Jesus Christ.
• The one-man jury is also the only judge! John 5:22 tells us, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.”

I am so grateful that, at the last my judge and jury will also be my defender and advocate — “It is God that justifieth” and “It is Christ who maketh intercession for us”!

No matter what your feelings about earthly verdicts, put them to one side. Especially, please don’t let them be the occasion for disunity between Christian and Christian. Focus, instead, on the judgment to come and be at peace.