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They tell me that ignorance of the law is not supposed to be an excuse for breaking the law. So, if you ever find yourself in court, telling the judge you didn’t know, that, by itself, won’t get you off the hook. Depending on the conviction of the presiding judge, however, might get you a lighter sentence. I believe when it comes to your and my spiritual existence, Jesus represents the kind of forgiveness that only occurs in Family Court. The more I read scripture, the more I understand our wonderful relationship with the Almighty and the extraordinary power of His love for you and me, as demonstrated by my relationship with His only son, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That blood thing is what I’m referring to. If you would allow me to use two examples to illustrate my point, let me give for your review Christ on the cross and Simon Peter’s denial of Jesus as the cock crowed. All of us know that Peter did in fact deny Jesus as predicted. We also know that Peter “wept bitterly” because of it. Now, one very good example of God’s great capacity to love His children is that this same Peter, once afraid and fearful for his own life, came to witness for the Lord with no fear about his new life whatsoever. It was Peter, who, when the day of Pentecost came, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke boldly and without fear of reprisal about the blood-bought forgiveness of sins because Christ’s death made us eternal members of God’s family. You see, Jesus is our access. He is our entrée, court-appointed attorney, and intercessor to our Father, the ultimate Judge. Peter acknowledges this when he says, “Repent, be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” Acts 2:38.
You see, what the Holy Spirit did for Peter is what the Holy Spirit will do for you. The key is weeping bitterly. Peter had to first accept and acknowledge his shortcomings. He had to empty himself to make room for the Holy Spirit. Those who recognize this and understand the premise know firsthand that they are truly family members, and ignorance is but a poor excuse for the ultimate acceptance of Christ as Lord. In Luke 23:24, Jesus says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” From the Master’s own lips, we know even His captors and persecutors were in line for forgiveness. All anyone has to do is plead ignorance, repent, and turn to the Lord. Ain’t that something? Blood bought forgiveness, and no one, particularly God, expects you to be perfect. The expectation is that you’ll be righteous in your acceptance of Jesus and sincere in your repentance. Remember, your court-appointed attorney has already won your case. But you do have to show up in court, listen, and acknowledge that the changes are true. Your Honor, yes, I denied Him. Yes, I committed the sin. Yes, I was wrong. Guilty as charged will be the verdict. And as Jesus told the adulteress, “Go and sin no more.” He tells us that each and every day. May you and I hear and obey. May you come to understand that the shedding of Christ’s blood made you His blood brother, so to speak, and yes, God is your Father, too. That means the court convenes in the living room. What a blessing! In the meantime, may you never live in ignorance again, and may God bless and keep you always.
This column is from James Washington’s Spiritually Speaking: Reflections for and from a New Christian. You can purchase this enlightening book on Amazon and start your journey toward spiritual enlightenment.
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James Washington
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