The Verdict

*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
I thought to be 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 gent who snarled as he stared 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,  kind and gentle
looking man whose appearance seemed so 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 couldn't take
my eyes off Him.

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

The prosecutor rose and said,**

'My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell.'**

He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and in the
past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that
were once 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 had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my
life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?*

Satan finished with a fury and said, 'This man 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 objection of Satan, and
beckoned Him to come forward.

As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor
and majesty.

I 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, 'Hello, Father' and then He
turned to address the court.

'Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't deny any of
these allegations. And, yes, the wages of sin is death, and this man
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 so that this person might have
eternal life and he has accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine.'

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

Satan still does not understand yet.  This man is not to be given justice,
but rather mercy.'

As 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 man is free.  The penalty for him has already been paid in full.
 'Case dismissed.'

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, 'I won't give
up, I will win the next one.'*

*I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, 'Have you
ever lost a case?' *

Christ lovingly smiled and said, 'Everyone that has come to Me and asked
Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you, ~Paid In Full~'


'Stop telling God how big your storm is.
Instead, tell the storm how big is your God!

From an e  mail==author unknown