Proverbs 18:17 (NASB) “the first to please his case seems right, until another comes and examines him.”
I have often said it would be foolish of me to tell a lie or a distorted story because I talk with so many people about the same subjects I couldn’t keep the distortions straight!!!
We live in a disturbing time. So much of what we say and so many of the places we go are now on record. Even more, they can be retrieved on cell phones, computers, video cameras, etc.
What’s worse is that technology makes it possible to choose only the “clip” you want. It is then circulated as “truth” and very difficult to undo. Snippets of politician’s speeches or off-the-cuff remarks are made to appear the exact opposite of the original intent when put in proper context.
There was a day when you were innocent until proven guilty. Now you are guilty until proven innocent.
These are difficult days in court! When called to testify on behalf of another person, the prosecuting attorney doesn’t really want to hear your side of the story, he wants to impugn you to make your testimony as ineffective as possible. He wants to make you ineffective so that the jury will distrust you. After all, how can a discredited witness be trusted to tell the truth about your client?
That’s what’s so great about God. “Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the people in his faithfulness.” (Ps. 96:13)
When we stand in judgment before the Lord and Satan accuses us, our advocate, Jesus, will plead our case and take our penalty on Himself.
I John 2:1 speaks of Jesus being our advocate. I never thought much about that word until being on a Board in India. They had a hired attorney, not a voting member of the Board, at every meeting to make certain they were operating within the law. They never called him by name, he was always addressed as, “advocate”. What a powerful lesson. Jesus is my attorney, my legal representative, my defender, my advocate.
He will make certain the whole truth is told, not just the accuser’s version!!!
Written By Neil Fichthorn: Rev. Neil Fichthorn is a seasoned conference and camping servant having served at Gull Lake Bible Conference, Sandy Cove Ministries as President, and an interim Executive Director at Pinebrook Bible Conference. He also served in church music for decades as a choir director and arranger. He has been Bill Welte’s mentor and friend for over 45 years.
Think About This: “The DNA of joy is gratitude.” ―
