Acquitted or Sentenced

In a court of law environment, those appointed to sit on the jury and the observers in the courtroom might hear the jury foreman read the ruling pertaining to the findings of twelve jury members surrounding the preponderance of evidence against a defendant that has been accused of a criminal act against society, thus, breaking laws pertaining to the offense.  “Not guilty” or “Guilty” is usually the verdict that is rendered.  

A “hung jury” sometimes occurs when members of the jury cannot agree as to the guilt or innocence of the one accused.  Another trial is then ordered by the judge unless the prosecuting attorney drops all charges, because there is a lack of evidence to convict the defendant.

Depending on the verdict, the person on trial will either be acquitted and set free or sentenced and incarcerated; separated from loved ones and friends for the period of time that the law prescribes; pronounced by the judge.

In the United States judicial system, a person is considered innocent until proven guilty, but when a person sins, they are automatically condemning themselves as being guilty in the eyes of God no matter the degree of sin.  Sin is sin.  There is no safe level of sin that God endorses, not even a little, white lie.

(Romans 3:23), “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

There has never been a person on earth that has not committed some type of sin except Jesus Christ.  He alone is the only individual that never sinned.  He was God in human flesh when He walked on earth.  The God of creation was incarnated (embodied) into a baby boy that was born to a virgin named Mary—Jesus, the Son of God. 

This wicked world needed a Savior, because of sin.  All generations of people since Adam and Eve have been declared “Guilty” because of the “adamic nature” that is born in every person.  This common denominator of disobedience and immoral character of self-indulgent living are the ensnaring fibers that separate us from a holy God.  

The Lord came to seek and to save those that were lost and condemned to hell.  God took upon Himself, flesh, and dwelt among man, because everyone was and is guilty as charged.  Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, which separated them and all future generations from God.  This judgment is inherited by default, but God made a way to reconcile humanity to Him.  

Only God can acquit fallen man for breaking His laws.  His Son’s death on the cross made it possible to set humanity free from their state of rebellion (sin) against the Godhead; free from the sentencing that accompanies sin. 

Humanity need not be sentenced to an eternity separated from God, because we are in the dispensation of God’s grace.  The human race is no longer under Old Testament laws, but if we confess Jesus as Lord of our life, we will certainly endeavor to live by them with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells inside every Christian. 

God shows mercy to those that believe on the name of Jesus and repents of their sins.  Jesus paid the full price for our redemption when He willingly died and shed His blood for the sins of mankind.  He is the mediator, our attorney that stands between God and us and pleads our case before Him.

Jesus bridges the chasm that separates us from God by showing Him the evidence of suffering that He endured for our redemption; nailed-scared hands and feet, and a wound in His side that was placed there by a Roman soldier when he speared Jesus as He hung on the cross suspended between heaven and earth.  The Lord paid the full price for our acquittal.  He willingly died on our behalf, because of His unconditional and absolute love for you and me.

(John 3:16-18), “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  vs.17 “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”  vs.18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” 

When a person cries out for forgiveness and takes a step of faith toward Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to receive clemency and a purpose for living, God sees them through the blood that Jesus shed on the cross.  God immediately releases them from the bonds that held them fast—amnesty is manifested.  The blood reminds God of the promise He made to all people.

(1 John 1:9-10), “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  vs.10 “If we say that we have not sinned we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”  

There is no other way to escape the sentencing of God except through His Son, Jesus.  God’s guilty verdict is the final ruling if a person stands before Him without the blood of Jesus covering their sins. Sentencing will take place at God’s judgment seat if their name is not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

(Revelation 3:5), “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”

Acquittal happens at the moment of conversion.  What is conversion?  It is when an individual realizes their need of a Savior and surrenders their life to Christ by asking forgiveness of their sins.  God then rights the wrongs that they have done and forgives their sins.

This act of mercy is grace at its finest; given in love.  It is like being born-again.  Our spirit is pronounced clean—“Not guilty.”  We become spotless and white as the driven snow, because God removes the blackness of sin from our heart.  He then throws these sins into the sea of His forgetfulness, never to remember them against us again—even those little, white lies that we thought were okay, but weren’t.

Those that have found grace in the eyes of the Lord are born into the kingdom of God.  They become children of God in His forever family of Believers and joint-heirs with Christ.  His Spirit indwells the inner-being, which makes it possible to worship Him in spirit and truth.

(John 4:24), “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 

(1 Corinthians 2:14), “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Every individual is given freewill to choose right from wrong.  They will either live as God would have them live; separated from the pollution of uncleanness, or go their own way and sin, thus, sealing their fate, because they chose Satan’s way of living.  No one can serve God and Satan at the same time.  Freewill chooses one or the other. 

The choices made in this flesh determine the outcome of where our soul resides after death—heaven or hell—acquitted or sentenced.

(Matthew 6:24), “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon.”

(Revelation 3:16), “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

The period of time that the Word of God prescribes to unbelievers is eternity in hell for those that refuse to submit their will unto God and turn from disobedience.  They are separated from God and loved ones forever. 

The verdict is not dependent upon twelve jury members.  God is judge and jury, but we are the ones that determine our destiny; no one else.  The choice is ours as to whom we will serve while on earth—God, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, or Satan, the father of lies and deceit.   

Written by,

Papa Boyd

We Will Miss You Mom

It is without a doubt one of the most terrible things in life that we will experience; the passing of a close friend or loved one, especially a mom.  When the final call has been made, “Come home my child.” and the shadow of death falls across the threshold of someone whom we hold dear to our heart, it hurts us deeply and our heart aches, because of the loss. 

Happiness fades under the weight of its sadness, and our world is turned upside down as it crashes around us.  It is difficult for our natural mind to grasp the finality of it all, and without failure, we begin to question, “Why?”

Many times a person can feel cheated and alone even though their siblings are near.  As they filter through the varied and mixed emotions that are being experienced, it is not uncommon for anger to burn within the bosom; a deep, gnawing rage that refuses to let up.  Some individuals, because of grief, blame God for His lack of concern. 

A finger of accusation is quickly pointed in His face with words crying out, “You made a mistake!” while reminding Him of how much their mom had to give and how much love she had to share. 

“Why did He take her?  How could He do this to my family and me?  How could He take our children’s Grandma away from them? How could He turn His back on our prayers and abandon us when we needed Him most?”  These and more are some of the questions asked.    

One thing is sure.  We cannot offend God, nor can we separate ourselves from His love—He is bigger than that.  He hurts when we hurt and wants to embrace us with His outstretched arms of compassion if we allow Him to do so.

(Romans 8:38-39), “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,” vs.39 “nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

God desires to hold us close at these hurtful times and impart strength and peace to our grieving inner-self.  He wants to be that solid rock on which we can stand in times like these.  He is our comforter and hears every prayer we pray.  He sees the tears that fall.  God wishes to soothe and console our troubled heart with His perfect peace, of which we are searching for.

Though answers may never come to the many questions that we have, still we must believe that there is a higher power (God Almighty) that knows us by name and wants to be our strength.  He is always near; a breath away in times of need.  God is in the corridor of our heart speaking peace if we allow ourselves to hear Him.

No one will ever take the place of our precious mom.  She not only gave life to her children, she nurtured and loved us as only a mother could.  Wonderful memories are what she has given. 

As we take a moment to reflect on the countless good times spent with her, we feel her presence once again—memories of how she combed her hair; the smell of her perfume; and the times she corrected us, because she wanted her children to grow up having been loved by her, not only in training, but always.

(Proverbs 22:6), “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

These prized memories will be shared with her grandchildren as they grow into adulthood; sharing with them the legacy that has been such a part of our lives, because of her positive influence and enriched life.  Mom was a woman of prayer not only for her spouse, but as a mother, grandmother, and friend to many—a woman of God.

We are indeed blessed to have had a mom as precious as her.  Thank you, Mom, for loving us so much.  We will miss you dearly.

Written by,

Papa Boyd