Scripture tells us we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of
God. One of the first things a new Christian is taught in Romans. Yet there
are times when we are innocent yet found guilty by man. For example, we were
sitting waiting for the judge to render his verdict. We had provided a good
case, I had a good attorney, Jim Walsh, who was the attorney for the Township Of
Scotch Plains, and had Paula, my girlfriend as my witness. Plus I was innocent,
I was sure that would have something to do with his verdict. “All rise,” we
were the only ones there, except for a few cops huddled together, “GUILTY!” And
I was shocked, the cops shook hands, and they all smiled at the judge, who
grinned back. But I was outraged, and fortunately Jim held me back from going
after the judge-but I did get a few good words in, words not found in any
Bible. I had been screwed over by this small town judge, who was more revenue
enhancer than judge, and we left angry. Jim knew it as a screw job, and offered
to take the retrial for free if I wanted, he saw the injustice. The only wise
words the judge gave that night were “we never want to catch you in Spotswood
again.” Gavel banged, case closed. But before I get ahead of myself, let me go
back to the beginning, the night of the crime.
Paula was home from college in Florida and we were going down to Cooper’s
house in East Brunswick. Spotswood is a small town, a hick town, and upon
entering its boundaries, a cop car joined along, following close. Now this was
1974, the fuzz vs. longhairs, and times were bad among them. We both noted the
cop, and drove very carefully, which may caused more suspicion than not driving
carefully. Approaching a light, we moved into the right turn lane, the light
was red, so we slowed, signal on. We had been noting the cop’s movements, and
when the light turned green some 50’ away, we proceeded to turn, and so did our
shadow, who then hit his lights, and we were pulled over-for going through a red
light! Arguing only would make it worse, and so we decided to fight it, and my
Dad agreed, turning me onto Jim, who thought it was a set-up, and would defend
me for free, more as a favor to my Dad as anything, but still a good attorney
with a good reputation. Scotch Plains after all was a higher class town...And
so Jim filed the papers, and got a continuance to April when Paula would be home
on Easter Break. We were confident, I had a credible witness, but most of all I
was innocent-I hadn’t run any red light!
And so the stage was set, and then we got blown out of the water...and
anger and huge disappointment set in. But Jim explained it, but still wrong is
wrong. He told us that no one fought tickets in Spotswood, and they had no
night court. So between asking for a trial, and a postponement, and at night,
we were already a thorn in their side. And then he dropped the bomb, the cops
were coached to tell a standard story, and mine didn’t jive with theirs, even it
it was the truth. Let’s get it over and go home, guilty was the scenario, no
truth or justice that night, plus him being a city attorney rubbed this small
court judge the wrong way. And since he was the judge, more of a revenue
collector, we were an example to not go against his power base ever again. The
only credible words he spoke that night were “we never want to catch you in
Spotswood again, “ and he never would. Any further trips to Cooper’s took the
long way. Maybe this is why I have a dislike for the court system, and feel
dirty each time I go, even just to give support or jury duty, I remember
Spotswood and never want to go back.
Now God is right when He tells us we have all sinned and fallen short of
the glory of God. No argument there, but I talk with many who have been given a
bad time, shown prejudice in court, and never trust them again. First time your
fault, second time mine, and sadly think of God in the same terms. They see
Jesus, or worse yet have been told Jesus is mad at them, and is out to get
them. Nothing is further from the truth. Think about it, if God didn’t love us
so much, why would He send Jesus to reunite us to Him? If He wanted to punish
us, we would all be dead, but yet judgment awaits us when we die, before the
only true and honest ever judge. No prejudice, and until we draw our last
breath on earth, He is trying to get us to repent. And such is the patience of
love that leads to salvation. And unlike Jim, who was a pretty good attorney,
yet we lost, we have the wonderful counselor in Jesus pleading our case for us
before His father. And His father agrees to whatever He tells Him about us, for
He is truth. He never lost, and never loses. He even took the sentence of
death for our sin, but rose again so that we can also. Only before God will we
ever be found guiltless, and told to enter heaven, but only if we have repented
and accepted Jesus. A loving judge, unlike the judge in Spotswood. He has
heard all the excuses, but still provides a way, one way, the only way to be
found innocent-Jesus. And He will be your witness, giving credibility to your
salvation, for without Him going before God for you, it is hell, and death.
With Him it is enter in my good and faithful servant. Me? The Spotswood
avenger? Yes, all sins are forgiven. And forgotten, but breaking the law still
requires payment here on earth.
God wants to forgive you, and will give you a honest judgment. Either way
you will know why you are entering heaven, or going to hell. No retrials, no
bail money, no last minute plea bargains. Jesus is it-today. For we don’t know
when life will end, or how, and it is better to go into the arms of a loving God
than to drive in Spotswood. Today when I think of Spotswood I think of
everything wrong in the court system, But when I think of Jesus I see justice
for all. From a loving God, who even offers the court system in Spotswood the
chance of salvation. And just like in the eyes of a loving God, who sees no sin
in me, I’m forgiven, you will never see me in Spotswood again either. Let God
be God and all men liars-Jesus Christ, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth. So help me God-aren’t you glad He is? I can only hope a certain
judge in Spotswood sees it God’s way.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com