I love to watch Perry Mason, to see the logic that he uses to not only
clear his client, but to catch the guilty party. I try to apply his logic to
the current show I am watching, but his producers have an inside track, they
know the ending, and can alter the lines to meet it. I can’t. But along the
way, I learn lessons, little things by the examples and evidence, and apply it
scripturally. Perry Mason a Bible lesson? He is a great counselor, do you
remember another in man in scripture defined as one? So why not, we all can use
a little more Jesus, and a dose of Perry, and a few shots of Della never hurt
anyone, either. So here is a simple lesson, to be applied to our daily lives,
via the ultimate attorney. Who always wins...only Hamilton Burger would object
to that.
In yesterday’s story, an Italian immigrant was killed, after a battle over
money. He was a tight old man, and his will didn’t mention who would inherit
his business. Families that are tight can split apart over money and the death
of a loved one in real life, too. With only minutes left of the show, we all
knew Perry would have the next witness be accused and confess, but this time
with a twist. The guy didn’t, because he didn’t do it. But Perry had found out
who via him, and some notes he had left behind, the old man who was murdered was
his client for 30 years, ever since he came into the country. And where Perry
tripped him up was classic, a lesson to be learned by all, particularly
Christians. His attorney, the man on the stand, didn’t speak Italian, and the
immigrant spoke very little English when arriving here. And in early
communications with him via telegrams, he tried to translate his English into
the man’s native Italian, and that was where Mason tripped him up. He
translated the English to Italian word for word, as if looking each word up in a
dictionary. Not the way it would have been spoken by someone who knew Italian.
His attempt to translate the words, to give them a meaning, was his downfall,
and when Perry pointed that out, he confessed to embezzlement, and the real
murderer was cornered and confessed. So what is the lesson to be learned
here? The clues are there, let’s look at it from a Biblical point of
view...still with me?
Of late I run into many Christians who can recite a scripture at the drop
of a hat. Note that “drop of a hat” is a slang term, they don’t really drop
their hat as the euphenism implies. And many of these scripture memory students
have done just that. From “a camel going through the eye of a needle,” to the
disciples not knowing how Jesus would “rebuild his temple in three days,” or
“how the body is a temple where the holy spirit dwells,” they are taught
literal, not spiritual meaning, and can miss the true meaning God intended. Any
comments on Nicodemus on being born again? Literally quoting the Bible word for
word, instead of catching the meaning of it, and being confused. Worse yet,
taking those words out of context, and not reading the preceding or the next
verses to complete the thought. They may know the word, but do they know Jesus,
who is the word? They may have the knowledge, but do they have the wisdom?
They may know the book, but do they know the author? Do we take the time Perry
does to study the case, and look for the evidence of the spirit in scripture?
Or has the word taken the place of the spirit in their trinity?
Knowledge puffs up, we are told, and I am not against study. But I am for
just study’s sake. To know, but not apply. For it is when we apply the things
of the spirit to scripture that it comes alive, where we see Jesus as real and
personal. Where we go beyond the red words on the page, and into the heart of
God, and his love and grace is revealed. Tripping over words, or tripping out
in the spirit? Our souls may be saved, but our minds can still be a
battleground. Simple tests like Satan gave Eve are part of daily life, Satan
didn’t use physical force, he appealed to her in knowledge, misquoting God so
cleverly that when she fell back on her knowledge, it let her down. Of course,
that never happens to us, we all study to find ourselves approved...
So have you just studied it, or are you living it to find yourself
approved? The real test is daily life, our witness, what we show the world when
we think no one is watching. Our character, who we really are under pressure is
revealed, and the truth was there all the time. If Perry can figure it out, why
can’t we? Or are we so heavenly minded, we fail to represent Jesus Christ on
earth? Is your relationship with him so literal you can put it into words, or
so deep and spiritual you cannot find the words to express his love? So deep,
only an action, a picture with a thousand words will do. Are you still felling
guilty, although Jesus proven you innocent by is death on the cross? Have you
been spiritually born again, or just religiously? If you were on trial for
being a Christian, is there enough evidence of Jesus in it to convict you? Do
you give the right answers, but don’t live them? Perry would know, Jesus knows,
but so does your accuser. Do you know the words, but not the word? Remember,
when bragging on your knowledge, you may know all the answers, but not have
heard all the questions yet. When we fall back on what we have been taught
alone, we fail. When it is spiritually inspired, when we walk in his spirit, we
are changed by him, and our lives reveal him and we see things through his
eyes. Not a lesson to fall back on or just a scripture to be quoted.
Perry always catches his man in an hour, Jesus asks “could you have not
waited just one more hour?” Could you show some of my life in you instead of
preaching and running others off? Life has taught me, wear a Jesus shirt and
you will be avoided by the same ones Jesus asks you to minister to. If you have
to remind me you are a Christian, maybe you are missing something. And the
world will judge you accordingly. Try showing love, let Jesus rule and reign in
your heart, let him give you the words when you need them. He has written his
word on our heart, so you always have him with you, scriptural evidence the word
is always in you. So are you in the word or is the word in you? I plead guilty
by association with Jesus Christ. Hopefully my words will match my actions. In
one short conversation Eve’s decision changed the course of history. Say what
you mean, and mean what you say. Let your actions reflect Jesus Christ, and if
necessary use words. And remember, that wonderful counselor who is there to do
just that, counsel. I rest my case, you be the judge...now about your secretary
Miss Street....
Do you have enough confidence to approach the bench?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com