Jackson trial verdict give rise to sobering reminder

Not guilty. Not guilty. Not guilty….

The verdict incited outrage and cheers this week as jurors found pop star-turned-weirdo Michael Jackson innocent on multiple charges of child sexual abuse.

How this talented flake dodged punishment in the face of such solid evidence is beyond me. It’s a verdict that echoes the equally outrageous acquittals of O.J. Simpson and the racists who lynched black teenager Emmett Till in Mississippi 50 years ago.

Not guilty, indeed!

My indignation has been cooled this week, however, by the reminder that there is a much more outrageous acquittal to keep in view. This acquittal hits much closer to home, and it’s so easy for Christians to forget.

The Bible says that every one of us is guilty of sin. The evidence piled up against us is irrefutable.

Sure, we’ve done bad stuff, but our guilt runs even deeper than that. We’re sinners from birth, whether we realize it or not: “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God” (Romans 3:12).

In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul reiterated the words of King David, who lamented centuries earlier that “the Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside.” (Psalm 14:2).

Unlike the evidence in the Michael Jackson case, the Bible says there is no room for debating whether each of us is guilty of sin. It’s a certainty: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

It’s amusing to me that Jackson’s attorney was quick to point out that the King of Pop will now change his behavior. He will no longer allow little boys to sleep in his bedroom.

Are we supposed to applaud such an absurd pledge? Shouldn’t it go without saying?

Equally amusing are attempts on our part to change our behavior apart from God. No matter how hard we try to “be good,” we cannot outrun our sinful nature. It’s always shadowing us, often overshadowing us.

Even Paul, arguably the most influential spiritual leader in Christianity, struggled with this: “I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate.… I can’t help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things” (Romans 7:15-17 NLT).

If nothing else, our own consciences prove Paul’s point: We can’t escape sin. It’s who we are.

On our own, there is no hope for acquittal. Even the person who looks perfectly righteous in the eyes of others cannot fool himself.

Truth reveals what no jurors can see: “The heart is deceitful above all, desperately wicked. Who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9).

Jackson’s pledge to change his behavior is about as hollow as our own efforts to please God.

God is holy. We are not.

Our moral best will never approach his holiness. We always come up short.

The penalty for sin is separation from God. In other words, spiritual death in hell awaits all sinners.

Today the world laughs at the notion of hell. It is a caricature for movies and Far Side cartoons.

But hell’s reality is prominent in the Scriptures and one day will be no laughing matter: “For the wages of sin is death.…” (Romans 3:23).

Happily, the same Scriptures also tell of something even more outrageous than this week’s verdict: There is hope for every sinner to dodge hell’s death sentence.

God loves us so much he became a man and sacrificed himself to forever pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus, our innocent savior, died an unspeakable death on the cross and rose again, guaranteeing acquittal to sinners.

Our part is easy. Acquittal is promised to all who trust in Jesus alone for salvation from sin.

Simple belief – not a hollow promise of changed behavior – seals eternal salvation.

If we believe in him, we belong to him and nothing can separate us from his love: “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

I don’t know about you, but I am outraged that Michael Jackson went free. Personally, I think he’s guilty and deserves punishment.

But I’m thankful for yet another reminder of God’s amazing love.

By faith in Christ, our past, present and future sins are forgiven. His holiness is imparted to us.

One day, the undeserved acquittal of Christians will be celebrated with cheers in heaven. We will fall down before our creator in gratitude and marvel at the unfairness of it all.

I pray you believe this. It’s the most outrageous acquittal of all.