Not Guilty

I have watched a couple of thrillers, and was spell-bound until the Judge placed the verdict; either ‘Guilty’ or ‘Not Guilty’. It got worse sometimes when I knew the accused was innocent of the alleged crime. I would almost want to grab the Judge, or jury as the case may be, through the TV and scream; can’t you see this man is innocent?
But there have been times I have seen the murderer stand trial in a movie and I cannot wait to hear the fatal word; Guilty. When the Judge finally declares the fellow guilty, I’m so exhilarated; excited that justice has prevailed. It’s not always the case though; sometimes the damned guilty are declared “Not Guilty!” That’s unfair, right? You might not be so quick to make that conclusion after reading this article.
You stole your mother’s money all through your secondary school days. You graduated to lying to daddy about handouts that were not and textbooks you never bought, while in the university. You possibly sneaked in a few porn mags and films and watched in the privacy of your room. You allowed that teacher or that uncle or that friend to touch your body as he willed. You got that girl pregnant and forced her to go to the abortion clinic. You cheated your way through your whole educational career.
Did you just see yourself in the above paragraph? Any judge, without prejudice, would obviously declare you guilty. You don’t even need a judge to tell you; you’ve already condemned yourself, haven’t you. You probably even hate yourself for those things that you’ve done or allowed to be done to you. You’ve gone for several confessions without relief. You’ve cried your eyes out times without number as the words hammer in your ear. ‘Guilty. Guilty.. Guilty…’
But I have good news for you! In one minute, you can be declared ‘Not Guilty!’ of all these hideous sins you’ve committe. That’s impossible! Oh no, it isn’t!
A pretty young woman, possibly just a few years older than you was caught in the act; can you imagine; Right In The Act! Mum opens the door and sees you watching that film! The teacher catches you pulling out the expo! Your pastor bumps into you, sitting on that guy’s laps. You’re caught in the act. You lower your eyes; hang your head; full of shame. That’s what happened to her. She was caught in the act of adultery. (Mind you, if you lived in her days, you’d have been married too; weird thought, isn’t it?)
Everybody condemned her. Her husband was first on the line. Think about it; if your parents and friends were to know the real you; the you behind closed doors; who would be the first to condemn you? You got it! All her family members, friends, and enemies gathered, screaming ‘Guilty, Guilty!’ But there was a weird Judge there who didn’t agree with them. He declared her ‘Not Guilty’ and discharged the court. The folks mumbled and walked away. The dumbfounded convict lifted up her shocked eyes at him, and saw something there she had never seen before.
His eyes were wet. He loved her. He understood her. He was giving her another chance to make things right. He touched her and said “I don’t condemn you. Go and sin no more!” She broke down in tears, kissing his feet, still unable to say anything. This grace was too amazing to comprehend. He lifted her up, looked in her eyes and said; “I forgive you. You’re not guilty” She smiled through her tears and mouthed her thanks as she turned to leave.
Many days after, this same Judge perfected what he had done with the adulteress. He declared the whole world guiltless. He said it the three words on a dreadful day when the He, the Judge of all the whole earth, was judged by sinful mortals. They declared their justifier guilty of sins He never committed. On that day, hanging on the tree, Jesus cried out “It Is Finished!” In other words, my friend, He declared you ‘Not Guilty’ to every sin you ever committed. He took your place; He suffered in your place.
He bled that you might never bleed for your own sins. He was flogged, so you might never be scourged for your own sins. He bore your shame so you would never have to hang your head in the shame sin brings; never again! For a full grasp of these scenarios I just painted, please read John 8:1-11 and John 19:30.
This is real! But it’s not automatic. If it were, every sinner should keep on sinning. Jesus gave a condition through which your sinful state could be turned around. He said in John 3:3 that you have to be born again. What’s the process? Rom 10:9-10 explains it well.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Another important step that relieves you of all guilt is the confession part stated in verse 10. Let’s see I John 1:7.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Touché! Friend, that’s all it takes to be rid of the guilt you’ve been carrying on you for months, maybe years. Come to the cross of Jesus and no matter how bad your life has been, He’s already declared you Not Guilty, you just need to come under the blood; the precious blood of Jesus that was shed for you on the cross of Calvary to earn you your freedom.
I know the devil has nearly killed you with guilt. Your deliverance is here. God looks at you with love right now and says; “I don’t condemn you…” Please come to God and let him make you new and turn your life around. If you’re ready to be free; to offload that load of guilt, please pray the ‘Love Prayer’ beneath this article. Pray it sincerely and I can assure you that as you say it, God is opening a new book for your life. Your past deeds which were recorded in the ‘Book of Death’ have been discarded forever. Did you get that? Forever!
Hold on; please look at the concluding words of that phrase: “…go and sin no more”. Those were Jesus’ concluding words to the adulteress and they are the same to you today. Your sins have been forgiven but you shouldn’t go back to them again. ‘But please, I’m scared! What if I make a mistake again, have I blown everything again?’ Here’s your answer:
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (I John 2:1-2)
God desires you to live holy but if you fall, please don’t stay down. Repent immediately (genuinely) and get back up. Jesus has promised His everlasting love and mercy to you. You can never expend His love. His mercies over you are new every morning. Men! Can’t you see how blessed you are?
And if you are there, you believe God has forgiven, but somewhere in your heart, you haven’t forgiven yourself. May I ask you a question? Thanks for allowing me. Who are you not to forgive yourself, when the Almighty God, who is Holy beyond comprehension, has forgiven you? Stop pouting dear! Forgive yourself and move on. There’s so much God had prepared for you in this life and in eternity. Don’t allow guilt stand in your way.
Please let me caution; there’s only ONE thing that can prevent you from receiving God’s forgiveness. What could that be? Your refusal to forgive others. The Lord’s Prayer says “…And forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive those that trespass against us…” It’s a condition. What has that person done that is too big to forgive? Look at what Jesus did on the cross for you and what He’s still offering you today. Please forgive that person; unforgiveness isn’t worth it; not one bit.
On a final note, you know we human beings have a tendency to be selfish. Please tell your friends and those around you about this amazing grace. Don’t ‘solo’ this blessings like you would ‘solo’ your provisions in the hostel. Imagine the load, shame, fear, and guilt God has relieved you of. Please allow others enjoy what you’re enjoying in Jesus. Just share your testimony with them. “This is what I was and this is what Jesus has made of me!” Isn’t it so simple? Do your part and leave the rest to God.
And when next that fox, the old serpent, comes to you reminding you of your past sins, please be quick to shout it out in his ears. He’s hard of hearing, so you’ll need to really shout it. Scream; “I’m Not Guilty!!!”

The Love Prayer
Dear God, I have heard about your love and I thank you for loving me in spite of my many sins and weaknesses. I believe, Jesus, that you’re the son of God and that you died and rose again to save me. I repent of my sins and forsake them. I will live to please you as your Holy Spirit helps me. I receive you into my heart and I ask that you make me yours forever. Help me to be your friend and may we love and honor each other for all eternity. Thank you Father for accepting me. I choose to live above guilt henceforth. I have prayed in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed this prayer for the first time, please send an e-mail to us at justaboutmine@yahoo.com and we’ll be quick to get back to you to stand by you in this new adventure of life.

Written by Timilehin Adigun