Home – Page 3 – Freedom in Christ

If there was another way, we would choose it. Pain gets our attention, it causes us to focus. It gets difficult to bear so we look for a way out. We will do anything to get rid of it. We seek to change our circumstances: a new job, a new house, a new spouse. If these circumstances were different, then maybe we would be pain free, maybe we would have peace in the absence of the present pain.

The problem is the pain follows us. It follows us into the next job, the next house, the next spouse. So we try to numb it; we get busy, really busy. We hurry and rush, so we don’t have to stop and feel… feel all that pain.

We stuff it in our backpacks, only to carry the heavy load for a few more years. Then yet again we will be forced to unpack it and try to figure out what to do with it.

This path of brokenness places us so close to getting the thing that we need. The very thing that God is trying to work into our character is through brokenness. In refusing to face the pain, we just keep going; going our own way.

Proverbs 27:12

“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.”

judge-gavel

God often uses the things of this world to open my eyes to the things of His Kingdom. Today was one such day.

Being married is an adventure…. being married to a lawyer takes the adventure to an entirely new level. My husband is quite possibly the smartest man I know and his knowledge of his craft is fascinating to me. I rely on him for good counsel on many more occasions than I even realize and I trust his judgment for our family and for our lives.

John writes to us from his Revelation… “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of the brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.” Revelation 12:10

There’s a courtroom where the Judge doesn’t reside from a bench but rather from a Throne! Our God resides in all authority over heaven and earth and His judgments are righteous, they are just, they are holy and they are final. Can you see Him? He’s not wringing His hands wondering what He’ll decide or how He’ll rule on any case brought before Him! The One in authority never flinches when a case is brought in to Him. But who does He allow to bring accusations to His throne? Satan.

He’s called the “accuser of the brethren”. When is this accuser allowed to present his claims against us? “Day and night”. Where are we? Back here on earth, out of earshot of the actual accusation, but feeling its evil effects nonetheless.

Does the Judge know who He’s listening to? Does He actually allow this accuser to stand before Him and even speak in His presence?

As I look from my elementary perspective at the scene of this courtroom I’m anxious and overwhelmed at the whole thing! There are knots in my stomach because in the deepest part of me I wonder if the accusations might have some validity. Could those things he’s saying actually be true? Will my relationship with the Judge be tarnished because of the accusations? How can I defend myself?

All these thoughts led me to call on my husband for a more clear perspective. I asked him about people that go into courtrooms to represent themselves on their own behalf. He explained to me that it happens sometimes and, depending on the judge, there’s some leniency with regard to these “pro se” defendants. They are allowed to present their case and defend their position in the court without the guidance of legal counsel, but the rules of order and the traditions of the court are often not held to such strict or high standards for many of those choosing to come before the judge pro se.

Sadly, the other lawyers in the room often have an unspoken opinion of those who choose this path for themselves. A couple of different ideas become evident: either the affiant has exhausted all his other options for legal counsel and no lawyer will represent him; or, in his arrogant estimation of his own abilities he’s decided he can “play the part” of legal counsel without having been formally trained to do so.

My husband also clarified that for criminal cases where the gravity of the outcome of the case is so great, the pro se affiant must undergo strict counseling, mental examinations, and would be held to a stricter guideline. I can’t begin to imagine standing before a judge facing consequences ranging from complete freedom to the penalty of death with only my own counsel to defend me! All would surely be lost.

This morning I tell you that I am free! The anxious thoughts are gone and the knots have been loosed! I’ve seen the other side of the courtroom. I have counsel!! I have a representative! And His name is Jesus!! The debt I owe has been paid in full and the Judge has dropped His gavel and pronounced me “Free”!

This morning I am able to sit quietly at the feet of my Savior, the One who represents me “day and night” and who pleads my case for me. The Judge doesn’t wring His hands over my case because its already been settled! He knows what I do not know. He sees what I cannot see. The accusations of the liar do not cause His robe of righteousness to tremble or shake. My Judge doesn’t look to me for truth, He is the truth. He doesn’t look to me for a good defense on my own behalf, He looks to His own Son who willingly paid the punishment that was surely coming to me. What does the Judge see when He looks at me? He sees an overcomer!

“And they overcame him {the accuser of the brethren} because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death”. Revelation 12:11

Written by Rhonda Walters