Court is in Session – What is Your Plea

I have always been interested in criminal court proceedings.  I am not talking about Perry Mason or Matlock, neither am I talking about Judge Judy.  I am talking about actual court cases tried in a courtroom by real officers of the court.  I can be entertained for hours sitting there listening to the real-life drama of a court case.

I remember attending my first criminal trial at the Choctaw County Oklahoma Courthouse when I was a little boy.  Throughout my growing up years I would watch for the trial docket to be posted in the Hugo Daily News so I could decide which ones I wanted to attend.  I admit I was easily entertained and going to court was absolutely fascinating to me.

My wife and daughter have had to come to grips with my affinity for criminal law.  One year on a family vacation to New York City, they agreed to accompany me to the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse so I could take in a little big city court proceeding.  They probably did not enjoy it as much as I did but I had agreed to go shopping with them when it was over, so we all won!  I got to experience a New York City Courthouse, they got to shop until I dropped!

Over these many years, my shade tree legal experience has taught me there are many complexities of the law, but one thing is certain, a trial turns on the pleading.  If the defendant pleads guilty, there is not much left to do but pass sentence.  If, however, the plea is not guilty, business is about to pick up in that courtroom.  Not guilty means there is going to be a trial with the presentation of evidence, witnesses, arguments, and lots of drama.  Everything is contingent on the pleading.

I have learned this lesson from the courtroom carries over into my real world.  I find myself from time to time on trial – some trials of my own making and some that are thrust upon me by circumstances beyond my control.  Regardless of how they originate, my ability to overcome is determined by my plea.  I can call myself a victim and say it is not fair.  I can blame heredity, environment, or the times.  I can even accept responsibility and just try to ride out the storm.  These pleadings do not lend themselves to peaceful resolution of my trial.

As a child of God, there is another plea available to me.  It is made possible by the finished work of Jesus on the cross.  His blood was shed for my salvation and, along with that, He bought victory over every enemy that will ever come against me.  He paid the price that enables me to triumph and win every trial in which I find myself.  As a result of His blessed work, I plead the blood!

LIFE TRIALS

Things happen.  I do not always understand.  Many times I do not see it coming.  I find myself fully realizing what Job said is true, “Man who is born of woman is of a few days and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1) Trials of life are a real thing and no one is exempt.

It can be sickness, fractured relationships, setbacks, or betrayal.  It can result in loss of trust and high anxiety.  It can affect plans and dreams – it can stop you dead in your tracks.  But, through it all and in it all, you are more than a conqueror if you know the Lord!  This is not the case because of your goodness or talent, it is all because of what Jesus did at Calvary.  You are never defeated in this trial if you plead the blood.

SPIRITUAL TRIALS

We are at war every day, but not with each other.  Our warfare is spiritual, and our adversary is the devil.  He has devised a strategy to destroy our welfare, influence, and happiness.  He has come to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) This is not fantasy or made-up church speak – we have a real enemy.

Revelation 12:10 calls him the accuser of the brethren.  He is constantly bringing charges against us with the plan of keeping us off-balance and susceptible to his attack.  Too many times he is successful as he deceives with his cunning lies and intimidation.   He is shrewd and subtle.

We can cower and live in fear.  We can pretend this is not real.  We can even become so fixated with this fact we end up giving the devil more attention that he deserves.  The better approach is to give the charges to Jesus for His disposition which has already been decided. The devil will bully and bluff us hoping we will not realize he is defeated but one look at the cross and the empty tomb lets us know the truth.  When the enemy comes against us with all force, deliverance comes when we plead the blood.

FINAL TRIAL     

I have never been an actual participant in a court trial.  I have always sat with the spectators as the proceedings took place.  But, one day, I will be the defendant and stand before the ultimate Judge as I give an account of how I have lived my life.  At that time there will be no doubt of my guilt.  If justice is truly served, I will be sentenced to eternity separated from God.  But, thanks to Calvary and the sacrifice made there for my sins by Jesus, there will be a third option for my plea.  I will not need to plead guilty or not guilty, I will plead THE BLOOD!

On that day my title will not matter.  My accomplishments will seem so few.  I will stand there alone.  But thanks be to Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God will step to my defense!  He will testify on my behalf and because of His Word and His blood I will be declared not guilty.  I will hear the Father say, “Enter in!”

Here is the catch, however.  You cannot plead the blood if you have not had the blood cover your sins.  Without a doubt Jesus loves you – He loves the one who hates Him; He loves the one who disobeys His Word and lives in open sin; He loves all people – but you are not saved by love alone.  Your salvation required His shed blood. It is when you repent of your sins that His red blood washes your black heart and makes it white as snow.  Cry out to Him in sincere repentance and He will hear you.  He will not turn you away.  He will redeem your life from destruction. His blood will totally transform your life.

As you read this article, today, you may be experiencing the trial of your life.  You are hurting and confused.  It looks like your world is crumbling at your feet – it was not supposed to turn out this way!  But hear me – you cannot give up!  Jesus sees and He knows.  He has not only made a way for you – He is the way.  Plead His blood over your situation and watch Him move for you.  Things may seem impossible from your vantage point, but this is when He does His greatest work.  He is able to turn your trial into your testimony.  Be strong and watch Him do it!

I find myself being called into trial often these days.  The evidence is stacked against me, and it looks like I will not win.  But I know something the devil wishes I did not know.  My verdict has already been determined – I win!  My victory is not because of lack of guilt but because of who I know and what He has done.  When the time comes for me to offer my plea, I know exactly what to do.  I simply say, “Your honor, I plead the blood.”  That will always be enough.  Case closed!