I Was Guilty Before Heaven's Court


After living what I felt was a 'decent' life, my time on earth came to the end.

The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what looked like a court house.

The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.

As I looked around I saw the Prosecutor. He was a villainous looking figure who snarled as he glared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat my Attorney, a kind and gentle-looking man whose appearance seemed familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.

The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence. As he moved across the room I shuddered.

He took His seat behind the bench and said, 'Let us begin.'

The Prosecutor rose and said, 'My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this person belongs in hell.'

He proceeded to tell of lies that I had told, things that I had stolen, times I had cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that had been in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.

I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at my Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all.

I know I was guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life too - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done? No, I realized, not now.

Satan finished with a fury and said, 'This person belongs in hell. He is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.'

When it was his turn, my Attorney first asked if he might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objections of Satan, and beckoned my Attorney to come forward.

As he got up and started walking, I was able to see him in his full splendor and majesty. Then I suddenly realized why he seemed so familiar - this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior!!!

He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, 'Father,' and then he turned to address the court.

'Satan was correct in saying that this person has sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wages of sin is death, and this persoan deserves to be punished.'

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to his Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, 'However, I died on the cross in his place so that he might have eternal life. I received in myself on the Cross all the judgment due this person. He has accepted me as his Savior, so he is Mine.'

He continued, 'His name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch him from Me.

Jesus sat down, he quietly paused, looked at his Father and said, 'There is nothing else that needs to be done. I've done it all.'

The Judge lifted his mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from his lips...

'This person is free. The penalty for his sins has already been paid in full. Case dismissed.'

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan screaming, 'I won't give up, I will win the next one!'

I asked Jesus, 'Have you ever lost a case?'

Christ lovingly smiled and said, 'Everyone who has come to me and asked me to represent him has received the same verdict as you:

Paid In Full.

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Author Unknown