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
car service from Midway Burlington .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareMy lady Lydia was a Hawkins of the ancestry of... Read More
Michael Shermer speaks with the energy and passion of an... Read More
In my life, I have tried... Read More
Symbols and symbolism are popular in almost every civilisation, culture... Read More
A magnificent source of life insurance and it's FREE. You... Read More
Among some of us who deem ourselves spiritual, the use... Read More
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God;I... Read More
Jacob had sent his family on across the river Jabbok.... Read More
In Corrogue the air is chill and the frost is... Read More
While study and pursuit of the Kundalini is considered part... Read More
I am not saying this because I am in need,... Read More
As the artist and designer for Ashbach Designs, I want... Read More
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,... Read More
We are all here on this plane, thinking to ourselves... Read More
Who is the more spiritual person? The woman out on... Read More
What is the opportunity here? What is the benefit of... Read More
I would like to tell you the story of a... Read More
The bible tells a story about four men who sat... Read More
Every soul that is currently experiencing life on any level... Read More
The Evil Eye has been around since the beginning of... Read More
Spiritual health is generally an overlooked aspect of healing. However,... Read More
In Corrogue I feel wonderful.As friends know I love singing.... Read More
We, a group of ordinary people who believe in Jesus... Read More
"Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because... Read More
Well I had a website that I was posting on... Read More
Granger limo Chicago ..There's a lot of talk about angels these days. They're... Read More
When King David was old and well advanced in years?... Read More
I honestly am not sure why this hit me so... Read More
In the spring of 2003, I spent three weeks in... Read More
For the past several years I have struggled with getting... Read More
What is Enlightenment?What do we really mean when we talk... Read More
This article is a reply that deals with certain criticisms... Read More
As we go through life we all have to deal... Read More
"If you can't dance with the devil You will never... Read More
I have been counseling people on weight loss, exercise efficiency... Read More
I always thought Ecclesiastes was like Proverbs. That's probably because... Read More
Every soul that is currently experiencing life on any level... Read More
It is my personal view that the reason we call... Read More
It's late. But it's usually those words that you cannot... Read More
There are moments in the believer's life when the Spirit... Read More
The Tarot is not just a divinatory tool, but it... Read More
Let me say that marketing can be a corrupting experience.... Read More
It is important and necessary that we regularly spend time... Read More
People rarely live up to a hundred years of age... Read More
Whether we admit it or not, we operate by emotion.... Read More
An Introduction to MatthewSETTINGHave you ever been promised something wonderful,... Read More
Your creative gift has power.God was the first and still... Read More
It's not always easy to stand in the midst of... Read More
I was recently asked how I interpreted the Mayan and... Read More
Lonely Song"a box of paints - lament for my da"It... Read More
Spirituality |