Choosing Your Judge
The United States of America is increasingly divided over many issues, as reflected in the current political debates and demonstrations on the streets of our cities. Among the priority “high stakes” issues at present is the vacant seat in the US Supreme Court.
Specific rulings will be discussed as the Senate fulfills its “advise and consent” duties in vetting and voting on President Trump’s nominee. But the core issue is how Amy Coney Barrett approaches the law. As a “strict constructionist” she desires that legislation be applied to align with the intent of the framers of our Constitution, America’s founding document.
Mrs. Barrett’s “conservative” approach contrasts with the school of thought to which Ruth Bader Ginsburg subscribed. This distinguished jurist, whose death at 87 precipitated the search for her successor, viewed the law through a different lens. In contrast to seeking “authorial intent” of the original writers, “liberal” judges consider the Constitution a “living document” which must morph to meet the changing culture of each generation.
Most everyone on either side would agree that “equal justice under the law” is a standard to be upheld. But the rioting that follows certain rulings is a clear indicator that some citizens do not think a judge or jury acted fairly. In some cases, the facts are in dispute. In others, it is a matter of whether the “letter of the law” or the “spirit of the law” should be upheld.
The election of any judge is consequential for those affected by their rulings. A “Supreme” justice with a lifetime appointment can influence the decisions of our highest court for decades. And those decisions may have a broad and lasting impact for generations that follow.
Given the opportunity, what defendant wouldn’t choose a “tough on crime but soft on me” jurist? In reality, however, we have a much deeper concern than who sits in judgment in our courtrooms. Every human who will ever draw breath on earth has one “ultimate Judge” – and He is neither elected nor appointed.
In Psalm 7 King David addresses his prayer to the God of Israel. In context, David is being sorely harassed by a fellow Israelite. David begins by appealing for God’s protection, pleading his innocence, thus indicating he is deserving of the LORD’s deliverance.
He continues:
6 Arise, O Lord, in Your anger;
Lift up Yourself against the rage of my adversaries,
And arouse Yourself for me; You have appointed judgment….
8 The Lord judges the peoples;
Vindicate me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and my integrity that is in me.
9 O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous;
For the righteous God tries the hearts and minds….
11 God is a righteous judge….
How wonderful to be able to appeal to the highest court and know that a Righteous Judge is ruling. The sentiment that God will rule fairly is reflected in Abraham’s appeal when seeking reprieve for Sodom. “Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”[1]
Ultimately, Sodom received its just due for its wickedness. And if we’re honest we really don’t want justice when we stand before the Holy One who tries hearts and minds. Nothing is hidden from Him. As David says in Psalm 139:
1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O Lord, You know it all.
And as much as David would like to appeal for justice on the basis of his own integrity in Psalm 7, we get a more complete picture when we read his confession of abject sinfulness in Psalm 51.
1 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.
4 Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.
Like David, we can’t cover up our transgressions. We can neither suborn justice by bribing Him nor pay enough to ransom our souls from the death we deserve. Rather than touting his good deeds as a defense, David threw himself on the mercy of the court.
The letter of the law needs to be met, or God is not just. Thankfully, before forming the world God devised the plan to rescue us. He provides a substitute to pay the price of our sin. Justice meets mercy at the cross of Messiah Jesus.[2] The Sinless One bears the full weight of the judgment due us, setting us free by His atoning death. More than that, Jesus’ righteousness is credited to the account of each individual who trusts in Him.
That eternal-destiny-changing truth inspired Charles Wesley to pen:
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.[3]
Written by Wes Taber, LIFE Global Ambassador
You cannot choose your Judge. But you can choose how you will stand before the Righteous One in the Day of Judgment. You need not bear the penalty of your sin. By faith, trust in what the Lord Jesus accomplished on your behalf through His death in your stead. You will be cleansed and forgiven today.
If you are a believer in Jesus, are you keeping “short accounts” with Him? Sinful actions and wrong attitudes keep us from enjoying intimate fellowship with our Lord and Savior. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Is your life “bearing fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8)? We would love to encourage you in your spiritual walk. Contact us at office@lifeinmessiah.org
Footnotes:
[1] Genesis 18:25.
[2] Here is Paul’s summation of this wonderful truth, found in Romans 3:21-26. But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Messiah Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
[3] “And Can it Be?” by Charles Wesley, published in 1738.