The Scales of Justice
Remember the old shows of Dragnet, Highway Patrol, Perry Mason, Matlock, and the more modern reality shows of Judge Judy, On Patrol Live, and Court Cam? These and others have long been regarded as “shows of justice” regarding our legal system. In real life, however, the drama is dramatically different! Many attorneys work out “plea agreements” that permit their clients to admit to a lesser charge for a lesser penalty. To us nonexperts, these agreements may appear unfair and minimize the crime and thus the time. But it is a legal way of dealing with offenders, and by our legal system, must be accepted as “justice.”
Those of us who are grossly unfamiliar with “crime and punishment” laws judge such matters based on our bias about the situation. Let us say the victim of a crime is more than a casual acquaintance and was gravely injured by the offender physically, mentally, materially, or all the above. Because our acquaintance suffered a loss, we believe the penalty should be the maximum allowed. Even first-time offenders should be shown little to no mercy in such cases, in our minds. But our judgment is skewed because of our relationship with the victim. Though some judges overrule plea agreements, there is a legal reason for an adjustment to the charges and their penalty. No, I do not understand why, but then I am not an attorney.
Numerous passages of New Testament scripture teach us that we Christians are judges. (1 Corinthians 6:2-3; John 7:24; Matthew 7:1-5; et al). We have been given the “law book” by which judgments are made, and when appropriate, punishments issued. Only repentance that is proven to be genuine grants forgiveness (Luke 17:3-4). Still, at best, our determination of guilt or innocence, repentance or denial, is based only on our finite abilities to know the whole of the matter. When it comes to spiritual matters, God knows our hearts (1 John 3:20).
This brings me back to John 7:24, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” Many continue to judge the appearance of a deed without investigating every detail of evidence, both pro and con. Too often, only the results of the deed are considered, and conclusions of right and wrong are made without further concern. Without complete knowledge of every detail, righteous judgment is aloof. Finding and proving the details requires time. In many cases, the longer the investigation, the less evidence becomes known. In other cases, time produces evidence that either convicts or exonerates the defendant.
The final judgment, the final “scales of justice” that will be enacted upon humankind, will be without mistake. Solomon declared, “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14) There is nothing hidden from God (Hebrews 4:12), and so every detail of evidence for or against the eternal salvation of our souls will be known to the Judge of all. The finality of this judgment has been given to Jesus Christ (John 5:22), and with greater ease than a shepherd uses to divide sheep from goats (Matthew 25:31-46), Jesus will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31). Every soul that hears “Well done,” will know of a certainty their eternal home, and every soul that hears, “Depart,” will likewise know their eternity. There will be no appeal: every soul will accept the final judgment without fail.
The scales of God’s justice are always precise. Man’s scales, as we showed, can be skewed for any number of reasons (or excuses.) With God, there are no “plea agreements.” Only genuine repentance grants forgiveness, and he knows the heart’s honesty regardless of man’s adamant declaration of the same! Such a reality should persuade every soul to behave according to God’s law and never attempt to defy His law.
Moses said to Israel, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23) Our sin will find us out as well. We cannot hide from it, regardless of whether man thinks our guilt or innocence is “unjust” or not, God knows. We will all stand before the judgment seat of God and receive [justice] for the deeds done here in the body, whether they be good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10). Are you honestly ready for God’s justice to prevail?