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
cleaning help near Mundelein ..One of the "loopholes" in my philosophical belief system when... Read More
In the last 2 weeks or so, I have been... Read More
One important factor in how we go through life is... Read More
Let us face reality squarely in the face by acknowledging... Read More
The teacher of the future.... will be a master of... Read More
Years ago a commercial ran for eggo waffles. It showed... Read More
We all hear of the concept of the "Enlightened Master",... Read More
A subject of debate for thousands of years, spirituality will... Read More
I have been reading a lot lately about the concepts... Read More
There was a time in my life when I seriously... Read More
I have sent out hundreds of press releases for my... Read More
In Corrogue I feel wonderful.As friends know I love singing.... Read More
When the Bible makes reference to a "yoke" it is... Read More
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the... Read More
Are you looking for a way to improve your accuracy... Read More
The more we worry about money, and who's asking for... Read More
Can you imagine being sent out into the wilderness for... Read More
Greetings Divine Ones, I am going to ask you a... Read More
It seems more people today are using the Christian god... Read More
I believe in a phenomenon I have been known to... Read More
The fastest way to raise your frequency is to do... Read More
The myths of man have been with us throughout time.... Read More
Malice is a great enemy to mankind. It is evil... Read More
Mormons like to give testimonies. Unlike Mormon testimonies, I will... Read More
IS FAITH - NOT VITAMIN C WHAT'S MISSING FROM YOUR... Read More
reliable maid service Wilmette ..Seems that everyone who writes to me signs their letters... Read More
I have been thinking about this all night. I am... Read More
Spiritual healing of the sick in Christ has many Christians... Read More
The time we spend on earth is very short when... Read More
I heard recently on a Christian radio station somebody talking... Read More
I was recently asked how I interpreted the Mayan and... Read More
It doesn't matter what magazine or newspaper you pick up... Read More
Before we tread into the domain of Past Life... we... Read More
Several months ago, I read an... Read More
"Everything in the universe is a pitcher brimming with wisdom... Read More
For we do not have a high priest who is... Read More
Most Tarot decks consist of 78 cards: 22 Major Arcana,... Read More
Christianity: White man's religion?Martin Luther King referred to Sunday as... Read More
As I sit here and ponder my existence my heart... Read More
How does God see you? Does He like what He... Read More
There's a lot of talk about angels these days. They're... Read More
As human beings it is inherent to want to self-actualize... Read More
The magic of the tarot was obvious to me the... Read More
Does this ever happen to you? You ask God for... Read More
Most of us have heard talk or have read something... Read More
Before Donna was born she took with her a dollar,... Read More
Last NAN I explained how to petition the female Saints... Read More
After 6 years, I left an abusive relationship with an... Read More
Anyone who tells you that the path to self-actualization is... Read More
The bible has many accounts throughout time that He used... Read More
Spirituality |