One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. (Deut. 19:15-19)
God told the children of Israel, in order to avoid vendettas and vindictive testimony, to always have at least two witnesses testify to any matter. The judges of Israel were to be discerning and inquire carefully into matters between parties to make sure that none were arising from the lies and deceit of another. Keeping such actions and behavior out of Israel would protect the nation from descending into anarchy and lawlessness driven by deceit and falsehoods in the form of sworn testimony.
God knew that if the practice of swearing out a complaint against a friend, brother, or even a neighbor simply because of a disagreement, without fact or basis in truth, ever took hold, that no one would be safe from such vendetta’s. Not only was Israel to practice due process but also protect their citizens from false testimony made to damage another. Whoever came forward with an accusation must have sufficient witnesses or evidence, especially if there was a personal connection between the parties, to ensure that the accusation was not made vindictively or to satisfy an Israelite's need for revenge. The cities of refuge protected those who killed accidentally and the judges had to protect those who sought revenge by swearing falsely, even as they meted out punishment commiserate with the crime.
Our justice system is based on these principles. Accidental death is not to be revenged and persons are not to use the courts to exact their vengeance either. The government should make the punishment fit the crime but people are not to avenge themselves upon others. Whether misusing the mental health system, or the court proceedings, or even misusing police tactics to imprison or disrupt another, is not the way a civilized system and people ought to work. Thought men may not, God gives us grace and does not exact revenge upon those who have sinned against Him. All of us are guilty before our Creator, and God offers forgiveness to whosoever will receive it, through the death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, on the Cross of Calvary. By the grace of God, all who come to Him on His terms of faith in Him and repentance of their sins, are protected by Jesus Christ, who is our refuge from the wrath of God poured out on Him in our place. We can receive salvation, not to continue in sin, but to live the life we were meant to live, and abundant life in and through Jesus Christ who is our life.
God has sent those who are His and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
God knew that if the practice of swearing out a complaint against a friend, brother, or even a neighbor simply because of a disagreement, without fact or basis in truth, ever took hold, that no one would be safe from such vendetta’s. Not only was Israel to practice due process but also protect their citizens from false testimony made to damage another. Whoever came forward with an accusation must have sufficient witnesses or evidence, especially if there was a personal connection between the parties, to ensure that the accusation was not made vindictively or to satisfy an Israelite's need for revenge. The cities of refuge protected those who killed accidentally and the judges had to protect those who sought revenge by swearing falsely, even as they meted out punishment commiserate with the crime.
Our justice system is based on these principles. Accidental death is not to be revenged and persons are not to use the courts to exact their vengeance either. The government should make the punishment fit the crime but people are not to avenge themselves upon others. Whether misusing the mental health system, or the court proceedings, or even misusing police tactics to imprison or disrupt another, is not the way a civilized system and people ought to work. Thought men may not, God gives us grace and does not exact revenge upon those who have sinned against Him. All of us are guilty before our Creator, and God offers forgiveness to whosoever will receive it, through the death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, on the Cross of Calvary. By the grace of God, all who come to Him on His terms of faith in Him and repentance of their sins, are protected by Jesus Christ, who is our refuge from the wrath of God poured out on Him in our place. We can receive salvation, not to continue in sin, but to live the life we were meant to live, and abundant life in and through Jesus Christ who is our life.
God has sent those who are His and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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