Gold Tried in the Fire - Robert J. Wieland

Imagine yourself guilty of a crime. No question
about it— you are guilty! You are miserable in
your prison cell, dreading the day of sentencing.
For you, no sun shines, no Mowers bloom, no birds
sing. You cannot even smile. No • me can comfort
you. You feel a million miles in "outer darkness"—
away from God and from everyone else whom you
have disappointed. All you can feel is "a certain
fearful looking for of judgment and fiery
indignation." Hebrews 10:27. Any one of us can
imagine this misery because we have tasted it
often.
Then imagine someone getting up in court with
evidence to acquit you. He persuades the
prosecutor, the judge, and the jury that there is no
evidence of your guilt. The jury acquits you. Then
imagine listening to the judge pronounce his
decision that all charges against you are dropped,
and you hear yourself declared by this court to be
innocent. The crowded courtroom erupts in
applause, and with a respectful flourish, the bailiff
escorts you to the free air and sunshine outside.
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