Hearing a judge say “Not guilty” is certainly sweet music to an innocent person. Yet reliable sources say at least 362 innocent people did not hear “Not guilty” until after they had served years behind bars for crimes they did not commit. If hearing “not guilty” is sweet to a defendant in this life, just think how sweet it is to hear God say “Not guilty” of all the sins we have committed against Him all our lives. That is what God says to people who repent of their sins and accept His Son into their lives. In Colossians CH 2 the Apostle Paul describes the transaction that makes possible a verdict of “Not guilty.” “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” Paul writes in Romans CH. 3:26, “God declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.” Because Jesus Christ paid our sin debt in full, God can now declare as “Not guilty” all who humbly repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
