Guilty as Charged
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Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.
So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Introduction
Introduction
I heard this song the other day. Its one that I have heard many times over the years and I love how Gordon Mote sings it. Let me just read you the words to the song:
Mercy Walked In
Verse 1
I stood in the courtroom the judge turned my way
It looks like you're guilty now what do you say
I spoke up Your Honor I have no defense
But that's when mercy walked in
Chorus
Mercy walked in and pleaded my case
Called to the stand God's saving grace
The blood was presented that covered my sin
Forgiven when mercy walked in
Verse 2
I stood there and wondered how could this be
That someone so guilty had just been set free
My chains were broken I felt born again
The moment that mercy walked in
Ending
The blood was presented that covered my sin
Forgiven when mercy walked in
Charles Bosarge, Phil Johnson
CCLI Song #7053449
© 2008 Givemall Music; Remaining portion is unaffiliated
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
Wow! What beautiful imagery of what our lives look like. I did the crime, couldn’t offer a defense and the judge was about to slam the gavel and declare the verdict when someone came forth and took the blame and the sentence. I was guilty of the crimes but he paid my debt. Let me tell you today just what I was guilty of.
Larceny
Larceny
Larceny is defined as: the unlawful taking of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it permanently (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/larceny)
In simple terms, I was a thief.
I was guilty as charged.
You might ask, “what did I steal?” — I did as I pleased with something that did not belong to me - my soul.
You might say, that’s your prerogative. Live your best life for you! You are number one. Do what makes you happy. (Does any of that sound familiar)
Your soul is not yours to do with as you please. It belongs to God.
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
When I lived my life as I pleased without any thought of how God had granted me this life, I was a thief.
Evasion
Evasion
Synonyms: avoidance, dodging, eluding, elusion, sidestepping, bypassing, circumvention, shunning, shirking; getting out of, finding a way around; informalducking, the go-by; archaic bilking. ANTONYMS confrontation. RUNNING FROM
I was a fugitive on the run from God.
Many people in the Bible ran from God.
Adam,
Cain,
Jonah,
Paul
We are foolish to think that we can hide from God - he’s got the best Global tracking system in the world
For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.
I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.
I was guilty as charged and was on the run. My orange jump suit was tattered and dirty.
Insurrection
Insurrection
Thats just a fancy term for rebellion
When I lived in sin, I was a rebel
Every time I went against God’s good standard, I was committing acts of rebellion
God created us to live in communion with Him
Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
Instead of living for God and with God, I lived for myself. On the charge of “Rebellion,” I was guilty as charged.
Perjury
Perjury
That’s what its called when you lie to someone, especially those in authority, like the court.
I was a liar and a deciever.
People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
I deceived myself and others believing my way was better than God’s way.
Living without God I had no hope but kept believing the lie I was telling myself that it would be okay.
Murder
Murder
The act of taking a life.
When I had hate in my heart toward someone, It was the same as wishing them dead.
Every time I said “no” to conviction, I murdered the one who love me, Jesus.
On the charge of murder, I was guilty as charged.
You could add a whole bunch of other crimes to the list: adultery, gluttony, blasphemy, pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust and sloth. (all the 7 deadly sins)
In the case of Heaven against Tom Maddux, the defendant pleads guilty, your honor.
Jesus Dropped the Charges
Jesus Dropped the Charges
When presented with the facts of the case, I have no argument.
I am guilty as charged and now must prepare to face the penalties for my crimes.
But Jesus walked in and asked the Judge if He could take my punishment.
Jesus not only took the punishment but cleared my record so it shows up on the record in heaven that I never committed the crimes in the first place.
Whenever anyone, Satan, the accuser, or anyone else tries to bring it up, I can take great joy from Scripture:
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
If you have doubt, ask:
Mary Magdalene
The woman at the well
The demoniac of the Gadarense
Simon Peter
Paul
You and I
Conclusion
Conclusion
Where are you today?
Have you faced the facts and realized the charges against you?
How do you plead today?
You too can be set free and have the record cleared, but you have to plea guilty first.
If you have been set free, rejoice, shout, praise the Lord and tell somebody about it
