In God’s Courtroom — Donna Evans

"All are under sin. As it is written: There is none righteous, not even one." (Romans 3:9-10)

Most of our country has tuned in at some point this week to watch or listen to opening arguments in the United States Senate's impeachment trial for President Donald J. Trump. The two offenses alleged by the United States House of Representatives to have been committed by President Trump are obstruction of Congress and presidential abuse of power. King Solomon's words from Proverbs 18:17 have never seemed truer: "The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him." Both sides are determined to present their cases: the Democrats seek to prove the President's guilt while the Republicans seek to prove his innocence. At this point in the Senate's trial process, no one knows what the final verdict will be.

Long before President Trump's Senate trial was scheduled, I agreed to teach a weekly women's Bible study at our church. In God's providence, this week's lesson covered Romans 2:1-3:20 and was entitled "In God's Courtroom:Guilty!" In this passage, we are in God’s courtroom. God is the presiding judge; the Apostle Paul is the prosecutor; all mankind is on trial; and readers of Paul's letter comprise the jury. Paul presents impressive evidence against the defendants. Some men are accused of immorality, idolatry, ingratitude, and a refusal to believe that God exists. (Romans 1:18-32) Others are accused of being judgmental and critical legalists. (Romans 2:1-16) A final group appear to be really religious men, but Paul accuses them of pride, prejudice and privilege. (Romans 2:17-29)

Paul's closing arguments begin in Romans 3:9. He appeals to the jury to render a just verdict based on the testimony three powerful Old Testament witnesses:

King David declares:

"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good... All have turned aside , together have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one." (Psalm 14:1,3)

"Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." Psalm 5:9

"The poison of vipers is on their lips." Psalm 140:3

"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." Psalm 10:7

"There is no fear of God before their eyes." Psalm 36:1

King Solomon also testifies: "There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins." Ecclesiastes 7:20

The prophet Isaiah is Paul's final witness: "Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways." (Isaiah 59:7-8)

Paul's closing argument begins: "What shall we conclude then?....We have already made the charge that all are under sin." (Romans 3:9)

In this courtroom scene, no defense is presented and the defendants remain silent as they await the jury's verdict: Guilty as charged! Man's sinful crimes against a holy God demands a price be paid. The sentence rendered by the just Judge is death for cosmic treason.

A guilty verdict in the U.S. Senate's trial would require President Trump's removal from office. Fortunately for us, our guilty verdict in God's courtroom suddenly changes with two little words found in Romans 3:21: "but now." None of us should be surprised at our guilty verdict, but all of us should be amazed at God's gospel of grace. "But now" are the words of God's grammar of grace. In our next Bible Bits, we'll look at what a difference the gospel of grace makes in the lives of all who believe in Jesus Christ. For now, Paul turns from prosecutor to pastor as he declares, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)

"But now" and "no condemnation" - good words and good news for all who believe in Jesus Christ!