justice

After a tiring two-week criminal trial in a high profile bank robbery case, the jury finally ended its 14 hours of deliberations and entered the courtroom to deliver its verdict to the judge. The judge turned to the jury foreman and asked, "Has the jury reached a verdict in this case?"

"Yes we have, your honor," the foreman responded.

"Would you please pass it to me?" the judge declared, as he motioned for the bailiff to retrieve the verdict slip from the foreman and deliver it to him.

After the judge read the verdict himself, he delivered the verdict slip back to his bailiff to be returned to the foreman and instructed the foreman, "Please read your verdict to the court."

"We find the defendant NOT GUILTY of all four counts of bank robbery," stated the foreman.

The family and friends of the defendant jumped for joy at the sound of the "not guilty" verdict and hugged each other as they shouted expressions of gratitude. The defendant's attorney turned to his client and asked, "So, what do you think about that?"

The defendant said, "I'm real confused here. Does this mean that I don't have to give all the money back?"

I don't believe the story is true, but it certainly could have been. "If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things..." (Eccl. 5:8a). We know, all too well, stories of injustice in our court system. There is a big difference between receiving a "not guilty" verdict in a court case and truly being "innocent." And it angers us when we believe that someone has "beat the system" and avoided punishment they deserve.

For someone who does not believe in God, injustice leads to bitterness and depression. Life is unfair. Innocent people are hurt and guilty people are not held accountable.

But, for the Christian, we know that justice will prevail. God is not only a God of absolute love and grace, but He is also a God of absolute justice.

"[God] will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness -- indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil..." (Rom. 2:6-9).

We live in an unjust world, but we take comfort that someday all men will stand accountable before a just God.