Truth, Justice, and the American Way

iv>today's judicial system. The accused can pass lie
TV tells us that one could survive on a deserteddetectors, while the accusers fail, and still be sent
island (where there is no food, water, orto prison.
protection from hurricanes), that an unskilledMurder is legal, as long as we call it 'abortion'.
person (without supplies) could actually catch foodYou can be arrested on suspicion, have your
in sea water (without being stung, raked overname plastered across newspapers, lose your
coral, poisoned, electrocuted, or eaten alive). Theyjobs, friends, and reputation, be harassed and
misrepresent a dolphin's voice and advertise thesubjected to jail with real criminals, and then let
beautiful beaches of Miami with old takes (leavinggo.
mention of the run down, boarded over, roachThe legal system can rip apart your whole life,
infested buildings). But mostly, they try tobody, and soul - then say, "Oops, we made a
convince us that ungodliness is free choice andmistake." In other circles this is called abuse,
politically correct ... and what is going to bring usslander, liable, and such. Though, it's perfectly legal
peace, romance, love, and happiness.under the disguise of ‘Justice’.
Stores advertise 1/2 off sales, but raise prices orWhen there's a real criminal whose committed a
keep an extra few cents for themselves. When areal crime; they're not prosecuted, the legal
limited purchase is advertised, families exit throughsystem gets fumbled, they're arrested before
different registers. Numerous addresses andgathering enough evidence to convict, someone
aliases are used to get more rebates andfeels sorry for them, they're let go in exchange
freebies. 1/2 cent is fudged at the gas pump.for information, they aren't properly placed for
What the IRS doesn't know won't hurt us. And,rehabilitation, expensive lawyers get them off, or
we've all heard the phrase, "Finders, keepers.they're let out early.
Losers, weepers."But, lest we be too hard on the system, perhaps
Yet, let anyone rob us, tell us a little white lie, orit would be just as good to admit that we don't
(even worse) tell a lie on us and see just howdo such a great job of judging ourselves ... that
self-righteous we become, "Crucify him! Throwwe're just as tempted to condemn anyone we
the book at him. He got what he deserved!"think suspicious, difficult, different, or wrong.
Let’s be thankful that we don't get all we"Man looks on the outward appearance, but the
deserve and that truth isn't what AmericaLord looks on the heart, " I Sa. 16:7. Except God
portrays.gives us the ability to see man's heart, we're way
TRUTH is a most wonderful thing! It sheds light onout of our league. "Judge not, that ye be not
all that is pure, right, and just. It gives hope,judged," (Mt. 7:1) is a pretty specific warning for
reassurance, comfort, guidance, direction, andus all.
protection. It leads us out of difficultIf we check our heart, attitude, actions, and
circumstances into personal victories.motives to see how truthful we are and where
God made provisions that all could know truth. Itwe've been so ready to condemn others (then,
cannot be obtained through wealth or knowledge.presume innocence in heeding scriptural warning
There is only one source for truth, either in thefor the shedding of innocent blood), we could
voice of God or through His Holy Word … asconsider our responsibility to love others as if we
the Holy Spirit reveals it to you (I Co. 2:12-13).were loving Jesus, Himself (Mt. 25:40). Perhaps,
Only then can you ‘know’ truth. And,then, we could be proud of "THE AMERICAN
the most wonderful thing is it sets you free (Jn.WAY".
8:32)! We’ll return to freedom once we© by Joyce C. Lock
learn to practice truth and that can only happenThis writing may be used in its entirety, with
when we follow Jesus (Jn. 13:6).credits in tact,for non-profit ministering purposes.
JUSTICE is probably the least likely thing found in