Forgiven!

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:12-14)

Okay. I confess. I am one of only 8 people in the entire country who did not follow the Casey Anthony murder trial. In fact, I hardly even noticed it until the verdict was announced and the whole nation seemed to erupt into a mob mentality, declaring her not only guilty of murdering her daughter, but worthy of death.

Having served on a trial jury, I understand the gravity of the responsibility placed on the jurors to render a just and correct verdict. I also understand that, in this great nation of ours, we have a jury system in place for the very reason of protecting people like Ms. Anthony from mob rule.

I do not know if she is guilty of murdering her daughter. I don't know if she is even responsible for her daughter's death. I wasn't in the courtroom, and I didn't serve on the jury. Apparently there was not enough clear and convincing evidence presented to the court to justify her conviction. If there was any miscarriage of justice (as later reports seem to indicate at least the suspicion of legal misdeeds), then it is up to the judicial system to sort these things out and correct any wrongs.

However, I do know that it is better to err by acquitting a guilty person than executing an innocent person. I was somewhat taken aback by the outcries for her blood by people who were not in a position to know beyond a reasonable doubt whether Ms. Anthony is truly guilty of a capital crime. She may look guilty. She may even act guilty. She probably did and said some really foolish and regrettable things during the investigation and subsequent trial. But it is not illegal in this country to be stupid or to look guilty. What really amazed me was how many of my Christian friends were so quick to declare her acquittal an injustice, and thereby condemning her to death. Really?

I am often reminded of the passage from Colossians quoted above, which clearly puts things in perspective. I am to forgive as God has forgiven me. How many of those declaring Casey Anthony guilty and worthy of death have themselves been given a "get out of jail free" card by God. Not once. Or twice. But numerous times. We all have sinned against God and our fellow humans. The Bible declares us worthy of death because of our transgressions. But God provided (and still provides) the acquittal for our offense:

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23-24)

I, for one, prefer to let God have the final word on whether Casey Anthony is guilty. Frankly, I find it more appropriate to pray for her salvation than to call for her execution. I'm pretty sure that's what Jesus would do.

Have a blessed week!

Pastor David