Guilty on all accounts

Part of me is super hesitant in even blogging about the Casey Anthony trial. It seems like everywhere I turn (Christian or secular) blogs are being written about what should have taken place and how I should be responding. I keep hearing things online from Christians like "don't judge lest you be judged" or "pull the log out of your own eye" or a million other reasons why this shouldn't be "such a big deal" to me. Those types of things infuriate me. For one, the verses are pulled from their intended context and manipulated to make me feel badly for being outraged at something so awful and evil. The Lord is outraged at what took place (and He fully understands and knows exactly what took place). Secondly, I should be broken that something so awful would take place...it is right to respond in disgust to what is disgusting. Thirdly, I can look with discernment in any given situation and see that something here is fishy. No, I may not know exactly who murdered this beautiful little girl- but obviously something is terribly wrong- and I can feel frustrated that the mother wasn't held accountable for her part in this situation that is known. I personally find it irritating when people try and tell me how to respond to any given situation and manipulate the scriptures to back up their point. So that's not at all what I'm about to do (just to clarify).

I am a woman with a weak weak stomach- and so I honestly could not read into this case very deeply. I do understand the gist of it all and of course, I'm upset just like anyone else. It just grieves my heart- the whole thing. The situation, the mother's behavior, the cruddy prosecution, the lack of evidence- and the disregard to the evidence given, the lame jurors, all of it. However, the Lord has just brought to my mind some things that have given me great comfort in a world of such chaos. So my intent in writing is just to share what the Lord has whispered into my heart through his word...and has reminded me of His beautiful character and His absolute authority over situations just like this one.

I keep thinking about how she got pardoned from some pretty steep accusations. Aggravated man slaughter of a child, aggravated child abuse, first degree murder- found not guilty on all accounts. Not guilty....the only thing she got charged for was lying. Lying??!! That's it?!!?! My blood has been boiling since yesterday when I heard the news. It doesn't seem right. It doesn't seem fair...why and how does she walk away from all of this just a liar?!

Then the Lord reminded me of a scripture that hit me like a ton of bricks.

"For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:10)

Before the Lord, the perfect Judge, this woman is guilty on ALL accounts because she stumbled in one. Even if all this woman did was lie...that is enough to offend a Holy God and condemn her for the entire law and therefore deserves the ultimate death penalty.

"For the wages of sin is death...."

(Romans 6:23)

My heart rested assured knowing that no matter what, whoever hurt this poor little girl, ultimately will not walk away free. They will face the Ultimate Judge. They will pay the price for this unthinkable crime. However, my heart was only at rest for a moment...because the Lord reminded me of another verse.

You have heard it was said to those of old, "You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgement. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement." (Matthew 5: 21)

I began to think about my day. I spent the entire day angry with my daughter. I raised my voice to her, I was unloving, impatient, rude, and angry. Just flat out angry. I had stumbled in one point...I had not kept the law to not be angry with my daughter...and the guilt of her blood was now on my hands. My heart was broken. The Lord quickly humbled me to realize that I am no better than a murderer before Him. I am guilty of the entire law too. OUCH!

I'm not saying that it changes my perspective as far as being upset at the verdict of this case. I'm not saying that somehow that makes what took place okay. I'm just saying that it humbled me and reminded me of my desperate need for Christ. Apart from Jesus, I have the record of a murderer, a child abuser, an adulterer, an idolater, and the list goes on and on. I need Jesus' perfect record and His blood that was shed for my completely tainted, long as the eye can see, list of offenses.

Bottom line? This world is full of disappointments, despair, wrong verdicts, hate, violence, and the list goes on and on- because of man's sinfulness. It's heartbreaking and frustrating. It should be. I should always be upset about injustice. God loves justice. Thankfully, he also loves mercy. Apart from that mercy I would be hopeless. Because of that mercy, I can look forward to the day when He makes this world as it should be. Free of sin and it's effects on you and me.

"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:20-25)