For the last year, three Duke lacrosse players have been fighting for their freedom. They have been proclaiming they are innocent of all charges that they sexually assaulted an exotic dancer. Millions of dollars have been spent on this case (through media alone). Their short lives (and others) have suffered greatly through this experience.
Can you imagine the emotions of these three young men (and their parents) when the attorney general says, "Based on the significant inconsistencies between the evidence and the various accounts given by the accusing witness, we believe these three individuals are innocent of these charges"? What an incredible burden lifted. What joy went throughout the individuals, the courtroom, the state, and the country, even the world. Absolute relief and joy!
On the same day, in another room across the country, I got to experience people discovering even a greater joy than the three Duke lacrosse players. I have the opportunity to teach a class on the book of Romans with my very good friends Keith & Terry. Our class each week consists of 10-15 people who desire to discover truth through God's Word. I can honestly say this group has been given a desire to learn... it is absolute fun each week.
I asked the question, "What is going to happen when you and your sin are standing at the Judgment Seat face to face with God?" There is always hesitancy with that question because most people have an idea but aren't really sure. Most everyone in the class was brought up (in the church and at home) believing that we will be held accountable for our sins at the Judgment Seat.
So look at these verses:
Ephesians 4:32
Colossians 2:13
I John 2:12
Hebrews 9:26, 28
Jude 24 - Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy...
Romans 4:7-8 - "BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED. BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT."
Are you kidding me? How in the world can this truth be more evident in the Word of God yet we have been taught differently?
The realization of this truth caused freedom and joy to run amuck in our class. The three Duke lacrosse players experienced a temporary relief and joy. Our class experienced joy they will reign throughout eternity! One student in our class proclaimed, "I had never heard or understood this thought until tonight!!" I can imagine that he is going to sleep incredibly well tonight.
This simple truth that is hidden even within the church makes God's Word to be incredible news.
Some day... I'll stand at God's Judgment Seat and Jesus (the attorney general) will stand before God on my behalf and say, "Based on the lack of evidence I declare Rusty innocent of any charges"!
WAAHHOOOOOO!!!! Does it get any better than that?
Rusty
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After the charges were dropped, one of the lacrosse players said something about how he hopes he won't have to be identified by these allegations the rest of his life. He'll probably have some more sleepless nights until he finds out the freedom of having Jesus' identity.
I know I slept better than I had in years when it became real to me that Jesus had already made me blameless in God's sight. It happened my senior year of high school when I was focused on my past sin and then walked by church choir practice and heard them singing...
Blessed Jesus, Come to me
Soothe my soul with rays of peace As I look to you alone
Fill me with your love
Glorious, Marvelous
Grace that rescued me
Holy, Worthy
Is the Lamb who died for me
Hebrews is still true today.
The Word is "Living and Active".
There is nothing fancy or impressive about sitting around and studing the word, but it is what changes lives for eternity and gives life on this earth.
Could it be that it is time to get back to the basics?
When the Spirit turns the light on it puts you in a state of rest and relaxation. No more work, or seminars to attend to try to keep the feeling, just plain Jesus!
Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty I'm free at last!...Rusty thanks for your blog. What an encouragement you are brother. I need to be reminded of Truth constantly.
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