Standing before a judge—knowing you are guilty and that the sentence might be severe—is a scene that plays out in courtrooms around the country every day.
I once received a citation for a traffic violation. I was guilty, but I had what seemed like justifiable reasons. I was prepared to present pictures of the location as evidence supporting my reasons. I also had a copy of my driving record: almost four decades and over twenty-five years of that time as a professional truck driver. That day, I stood, knowing my spotless record had been marred and I had no excuse.
As I look back, I remember the helpless feeling as I stood alone before the judge. I had no defense … and no one to plead my case. I knew I would soon face judgment and sentencing. I hoped for mercy, but expected justice.
That was not the last time I’ll stand guilty before a judge and await judgment. Scripture teaches all will stand before the Lord, the Supreme Judge, when we leave this world. Once again, I won’t have an excuse, and again I’ll seek mercy, knowing I deserve justice.
The difference will be that the Judge will be my Father and His only begotten Son. Jesus will plead my case, telling the Father I am worthy of forgiveness because of the price He paid for my sins on Calvary's cross to buy my pardon.
And once again, my charges will be dismissed. I will lose rewards for things I should have done and didn't do, but I will be spared the penalty for my transgressions. I will receive God’s mercy, and my record will be perfectly clean.
Jesus is the best Advocate. He is the Son of the Judge and always wins His cases because of the sacrifice He made for our sins.
Thank God that in Christ your record is clear.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Andy is a published multi-award-winning author with devotions appearing on the Christian Devotions website as well as the CBN website. He is a contributing author in the Starr Ayers/Stephanie Pavlantos book Room at the Table. Currently, he is working on his first novel and is assembling a book of inspirational Scripture-based short stories along with moral, personal, family, and comical stories. Andy is the founder and director of H.O.P.E. Ministries in Candler, NC. While operating primarily as a food ministry, they also provide backpacks, Easter baskets, and Christmas shoebox gifts to crisis pregnancy centers, domestic violence shelters, schools, government agencies, and other ministries. They also provide disaster relief and aid for unwed mothers and their children.