In recent years America has learned a lot about our legal system through a series of highly publicized trials. Whatever your perspective on those publicized courtroom joustings, you have probably learned how important it is to have a good lawyer. Which brings us to the trial that is currently going on - the trial of your life. Does this sound just a little over dramatic? It is not. The trial of your life is just as real as any trial you have seen on TV. Only this time you are not the spectator, you are the accused.
Consider how the scriptures speak of Satan. In the first two chapters of Job, Satan appears before God denouncing Job’s integrity and essentially claiming that Job is merely a self-serving slug. Revelation 12:10 describes him standing before God day and night accusing God's people of doing evil. Furthermore, 1 Peter 5:8 states that the devil prowls through the earth like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Put these descriptions together and you have a composite image of Satan and his prosecuting team at work. There will be elaborate sting operations to trap and convict. His ever present prosecution system quickly takes the latest dirt before God to denounce the “guilty sinner.” And the evidence? Don’t expect any of it to be thrown out on technicalities. It is all first-hand evidence, you were caught red-handed and the worst part is that not only does the Judge know that you are guilty, but He also knows your motivation and thoughts behind the act. Signed, sealed and delivered. This is every prosecutor’s dream case.
So what happens? If you are not in Christ, the case is over before it begins. Righteousness demands that the penalty for committing sin be carried out. But if you belong to Christ, your Defense Advocate steps forward. 1 John 2:1
What could a defense attorney possibly say under such circumstances? Does Jesus argue, “yeah, he did it but he’s really not so bad, after all look at all these other things he has done!” Or perhaps does Jesus try to subvert justice by claiming you didn’t know what you were doing? What about taking the line of defense that you are not really responsible? Will he say, “It’s not really my client’s fault because my client grew up in a bad environment, and was genetically predisposed to do this?”
As those who have confessed our guilt (1 John 1:9), Jesus knows that we know the truth about our sinfulness. So what is left for Jesus to do to defend us? Approaching the bench the Son of God declares, “justice demands the death penalty, sin has been committed and I will pay the penalty on behalf of my client.” And while you are being ushered out of the courtroom, the executioner begins to brutally beat Jesus preparing him for one of the most grisly deaths ever conceived. And so Jesus willing gives himself as your sacrifice, not to cover over some lame excuses why you aren’t guilty and why you should be acquitted, but to release you from all condemnation of sin. 1 John 2:1-2
As you walk bewildered through the court house, you see a group of people standing together singing praises to God and to the slain Lamb. Above their heads mounted on the wall is a plaque that simply reads: "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1" You can't contain yourself any longer as you join them singing the praises of the One who took your guilt away.
What impact should all of this have on your life now? A Christian ought to respond with extreme gratitude and worship. It’s hard to imagine a Christian who has been in the trial of his life saying, “I don’t have time to serve Jesus, you see I've just married” or “I would rather ______, worshiping is so boring” or “please excuse me, I've just bought a new truck (or computer or _______) and have to try it out.” If you want Jesus for your lawyer, you must first have him as your Lord.
Barry Newton, Copyright © 1998
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Hindrances to Worship and Service: Part 1 - The Ungrateful