Guilty as Charged

One Mile An Hour Over The Speed Limit

When I was in my early twenties, I was caught driving 56 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone on my way to church! The highway patrolman was upset with me because he had written me a previous ticket for going way too fast and I hired an attorney who pleaded it down to 75 mph and that kept me from losing my license at the time. The highway patrolman was mad at me because he knew I should have lost my license from the previous speeding incident. Even if he hadn’t of been upset with me, he still had every right to give me a ticket for going 1 mile per hour over the speed limit. I broke the law. There was nothing I could do except pay the fine. I was guilty as charged.

Not Guilty Verdict

The following two verses remind me of a not guilty verdict. John 3:16 is a beautiful Bible verse: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:17 is a wonderful verse: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:18 is a scary verse for non-believers: He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This last verse reminds me of a guilty verdict, guilty as charged.

Those who don’t believe in Jesus Christ will be judged by the 10 Commandments on Judgment Day (In Matt. 13:41-42 Jesus states that he will send forth angels to separate out those who do iniquity and iniquity is sin and sin is breaking God’s Law which is the 10 Commandments. The apostle Paul states that he would not have known what sin was except for the Law).

If you are not a Christian, how will you do on Judgment Day? Here’s a few questions to see how you will do. Have you ever told a lie? Even a white lie? Have you ever stolen anything, even if it was something small or not valuable? Have you ever lusted after someone? Have you ever hated anyone? Have you ever been angry with someone? Revelations 21:8 says that all liars will have their part in the lake of fire. Unbelievers will not be able to plead their case down before God. They will be found guilty as charged.

Good News

There is Good News for any unbelievers who feel guilty or are being convicted right now. If you repent by turning away from your sins and put your trust in Jesus you will be saved. Confess Jesus as your Lord and believe with all of your heart that God raised him from the dead and you will be saved (Romans 10:9-10).

Then live your life fully for your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and you will no longer be guilty as charged. 2000 years ago Jesus paid your fine for you. He suffered and died on the cross for your sins. Ask God to forgive you of your sins and turn away from your sins, then the just Judge – God can then let you go free. You are guilty, but Jesus paid your fine. God can now let you go free. You are no longer condemned. You can now stand on the wonderful promises of John 3:16,17. If you are a non-believer, please don’t put this decision off. The Bible says that today is the day of salvation. Don’t keep living your life as a condemned person guilty as charged.