The world's idea of justice and freedom fall short of their purpose. Prison bars keep the guilty from repeating their crime while behind them. They cannot change the person. Freedom comes with a price. We have to take responsibility for our actions. We are never free from the tensions of living on the earth. We must pay the price of making a living and existing among people of different temperaments and cultures. Being in Christ is the perfect answer because he has already paid the price for our sins.
We say that justice has been done when the guilty have been punished, or the innocent has been absolved of guilt. But what if after the guilty one has served his time in prison, he goes back and commits the same crime? Has justice been victorious? Incarceration does not equal rehabilitation. The use of force alone does not always persuade one to change his ways. It sometimes causes them to be even more determined to continue with their evil ways.
Little justice is done when they are released as fast as they are arrested. The revolving door policy makes a mockery of justice. There is the problem of overcrowding in prisons and some have to be turned loose before finishing their punishment.
The only true justice is if the guilty are made to change their ways and become useful citizens. Jesus changes from the inside. He alters one's purpose by changing the value system. All criminals know that if they are caught they will be punished, though they think they will evade their captors. Suppose they could be persuaded that there is one that there is no way they can get away from? That he has absolute knowledge of everything they ever thought, said, or did?
Jesus changes lives by making people come to grips with the truth. When one accepts the truth, he doesn't go back to the mire, he is set free to pursue a fresh new life. Morality and compassionate living cannot be forced by law. Such virtues must come from the inside, compelled by one's own conscience after learning the Lord's ways.
Law breakers, who are healed by the Lord, no longer lead a life of running and looking over their shoulders; they are set free to a new life, where fear is replaced by peace of mind. The weak are set free because they don't have to rely on their own strength. They can depend on his. Addicts and alcoholics are set free from depending on artificial stimulants; they are now on a spiritual high. All of us are set free from the bondage of sin. We don't have to carry that burden anymore. He will give us one that is more our size to carry for him.
If you were on trial, how would it make you feel if your lawyer turned out to be your judge and the same individual had already been punished for your crime. Would you get the idea that the deck was stacked in your favor? That's exactly the point Paul is making in Romans 8:33. And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us-who was raised to life for us! -is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us?
We want justice in this world, but on the day of judgement we won't want justice we will want mercy. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We deserve to be punished, but if we have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, we will receive the joys of heaven-the grace of God that we don't deserve.
This was written to spread the news of the freedom Jesus gives. Please publish it liberally. The resource box must be left intact. It is adapted from Lynn Bradley's yet unpublished book, "The Way to God's House."
Lynn Bradley is also the author of the paperback book, "Climbing the Heavenly Stairs." It is designed to develop spiritual maturity. When you know the Word of God and the God of the Word, your faith no longer shakes with every fleeting doubt. It is solid and reliable because it is built on a rock. The reader is led in easy steps to understand the Lord's ways. Read more about it by clicking on the following link. http://www.thelynnbradleybook.com
reliable maid service Highland Park ..Here they are, our Ladies of Mercy and Divine Benevolence.... Read More
I find myself floating on a cloud as heavenly music... Read More
"Mama, save me!"My six year old son jumped into my... Read More
An Introduction to MatthewSETTINGHave you ever been promised something wonderful,... Read More
Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as... Read More
Have you ever felt like throwing up your arms and... Read More
There was this TV commercial a couple of years back... Read More
Have you ever noticed how much our lives resemble a... Read More
Actually I have 'helped' exorcize spirits more than once but... Read More
Humanity is entering a very critical time in its path... Read More
Recently I was watching a re-run of "Everybody Loves Raymond".... Read More
In his book, Stress Without Distress, Dr. Selye suggests that... Read More
Lately I have become aware of a new truth that... Read More
"If you can't dance with the devil You will never... Read More
Natural laws exist that serve to maintain order in the... Read More
It is tough being here on this plane. You have... Read More
Perhaps one of the most wonderful assertions that can be... Read More
The Birth of Jesus Christ18 Now the birth of Jesus... Read More
Do you realize you are creating your future by the... Read More
It seems to me that our moment to moment relationship... Read More
I do not want curiosity seekers, who come for a... Read More
"Spirit is beyond the void of space. This realm, beyond... Read More
Matthew 2:16-18Herod Kills the Children16 Then Herod, when he saw... Read More
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- =-Excerpt From The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and... Read More
Believe it or not most astral Attacks are not caused... Read More
house cleaning company Lincolnshire ..Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?"... Read More
Do you ever get into those moods where you just... Read More
Matthew 3:4-6 John Baptizes the People4 Now John wore a... Read More
With another year full of family events coming upon us,... Read More
Enlightenment, which is as varied as each individual's fingerprint, is... Read More
I thought I would draw this article up as a... Read More
The contrast between the two men could not have been... Read More
In a recent article entitled "Our Virtual Reality Reality" I... Read More
Many of us have been taught that it is wrong... Read More
Baptism and christening ceremonies are an important event that signifies... Read More
The Key to True Love...Do you long for love?Most of... Read More
We are living in highly challenged times. Our mass consciousness... Read More
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself... Read More
Lately In my email newsletters (available for FREE at http://www.ChristThroughMe.com... Read More
If I speak in the tongues of men and of... Read More
People have always sought the sacred. It is the Divine... Read More
We as human beings travelled in small bands for hundreds... Read More
In the year 2000, I went on a mission trip... Read More
We hear this word so often and have one thing... Read More
Contrary to popular beliefs, we are not our mind, our... Read More
One of the first things you will find that God... Read More
Healing is a special gift that any human being can... Read More
For some of us, spirituality is considered a religion, and... Read More
After 6 years, I left an abusive relationship with an... Read More
Do you ever feel that what you read in some... Read More
Spirituality |