Presumption of Innocence

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil..1

The presumption of innocence means the burden of proof is on he who declares, not on he who denies. This is often expressed in the phrase innocent until proven guilty. It is a principle that many believe was introduced by the Romans but I believe it has its roots in Christianity, it is a principle that is not perfect but works. In a court of law the burden of proof is on the prosecution, it is their job to collect evidence, facts that the accused is guilty beyond reasonable doubt. If there is reasonable doubt then the accused is acquitted.

When society becomes such that one is guilty until proven innocent, then we throw out several thousand years of wisdom and build upon a shaky foundation. Judgement can be passed on people without any factual evidence, and doing such opens the doors to all kinds of accusations and slander. People will be attacked by certain groups just based on motivation that is political, greedy, or just spiteful. To deny someone their inalienable rights is to operate against justice. Hearsay and accusations will become the norm. But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive...2

While our system is not perfect it works to provide equal rights. I should not have to prove my innocence, proof lies on him who asserts, not on him who denies. This would seem to protect the guilty but in fact it is meant to protect both sides until sufficient evidence is gathered to either acquit or guilt. Without this foundation in place people can make false accusations against anyone without any accountability. It is a burden to prove guilt because it should be, the burden is less likely to be taken if there is no truth in the claim. But even so, for righteousness sake, Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.3

So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.4 The law of liberty says we are to not serve our fleshly desires but to serve one another.5 Freedom is about helping others be free, For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. The devil is a liar, an accuser, and a condemner, he wants us to be like him. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. God gives us mercy though we deserve judgement, it is His way.

Jesus said to be careful as to how you judge as it will be measured back to you the same way you measure to others. This idea of not judging without substantial gathering of facts is Biblical. And the idea of conflict resolution is spoken of by Jesus. if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone...6 Here the word for sin is hamartanó, I miss the mark, hence (a) I make a mistake, (b) I sin, commit a sin against God or against someone.7 This conflict resolution is when someone breaks the greater principles of love, not just for transgressions. The biblical model says you confront in private, then do mediation with witnesses, if you allow accusations without such a process you have thrown out this idea of presumption of innocence, allowing hearsay, gossip. One must have the fortitude to stand for truth.

A system that assumes guilt is a society that favors the wealthy. If I am poor and I am accused I most likely do not have the resources to prove innocence. If I am poor and I want to accuse a wealthy person of guilt I must only gather the facts. It is facts that do away with reasonable doubt. If I am wealthy I can influence people to my side, so a system should always set out to protect the poor. Under such protection judgement is based on facts and there is no reasonable doubt. Of course there will always be exceptions, money can buy better attorneys. To assume innocence puts the burden on the accuser to prove guilt. Such a system has been proven over time and works under a moral democracy.

Oh to know that relationship is valued over rules even by God, it is his Golden Rule which sums up the law, this is evident in the son who, in the story of the prodigal son, followed all his fathers commandments, but did not love his brother. Let your kingdom come, let your will be done, as in heaven also on earth.7

Prepare The Way

Lord, Stand By Me

"... present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness ." 1 This word for present means "I bring, present, come up to and stand by," it is parístēmi (from pará, "from close-beside" and hístēmi, "to stand") – properly, stand close beside, i.e. ready to present (exhibit). I pray Lord stand by me which expresses that I put my trust in Him, or I come up to and stand by Him. We use phrases like surrendering or bowing at the cross to explain such a moment, surely it is a coming to the end of ourselves and it is desirable that I find His will acceptable, but it is important to understand that it is about trust, not my will power, the key is that it is in Christ. The terminology the scriptures use is "present yourselves to God," or come up to and stand by and walk with Him. "... present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this...

Sin Made Explicit: The Sign

Accountability Before the Mosaic Law Romans 5:12–14 shows that sin and death were already present from Adam onward. Even without a codified law, humanity’s conscience testified to God’s invisible attributes (Romans 1:19–20). Creation itself functioned as a witness: the order, beauty, and power of the world revealed God’s divine nature, leaving mankind “ without excuse ” (Romans 1). Thus, even before Sinai, people were accountable through conscience. The Law was given to the Jew who were under its guard. The Gentiles, who were not under the Mosaic covenant, Paul writes in Romans 2:14–15 “show the work of the Law written on their hearts, their conscience bearing witness." Accountability from Adam’s Transgression and the Mosaic Law Romans 5:18: “therefore just as one transgression [Adam’s] brought condemnation to the extent of all men…” Sin existed universally without a codified law, though the conscience exposed it. Romans 5:13: “For until the Law sin was in the world, but sin...

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body in Biblical Understanding The human being, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted creation, often understood through the distinct yet interconnected components of spirit, soul, and body. While some theological perspectives lean towards a bipartite view (soul and body), which we do see in the Old Testament, a careful examination of the New Testament scripture reveals a compelling case for a tripartite understanding, where each is divided into or composed of three parts. Let’s explore the biblical distinction between spirit, soul, and body. The Body: Our Earthly Vessel The body is the physical form that interacts with the material world. From the very beginning, Genesis 2:7 states, " Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being ." This verse clearly establishes the body's origin from the earth, emphasizing its connec...

Blessed Are The Forgiven

Blessed! the one whose lawless deeds are forgiven and the one whose sins are covered over, blessed is the man whom sin, the Lord will not consider . * Paul writes David foresaw and spoke " blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered . * Blessed, is the one whom sin is not considered, this word considered means "to credit, count, reckon, to set down as a matter of account; regard, think, consider." This blessing comes through faith and according to grace, " also David speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God considers righteousness apart from works ." * The word for lawless deeds speaks of the violation of the Law and the word for sin speaks of missing the mark of God's righteousness. Blessed are those who (by faith in Christ according to grace) have been forgiven. In Him receiving the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of trespasses according to the riches of His grace . * This fundamental ...

All Who Are Thirsty

“ Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. .." (Isaiah 55). " Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price ." Buy is defined as to acquire the ownership of by giving an accepted price or consideration therefore; to accept or believe as true .[ 1 ] When we buy something we consider the price that we must pay, we accept this and purchase the thing we have considered worthy of the sacrifice we make in payment. W e can not buy, with money or price, redemption from t his tragic flaw we are born into. However Jesus paid the price for us, so we buy or accept through consideration, the Greek word is logizomai.[ 2] ...

Spirit of Life

" Indeed, the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus liberates from the law of sin and death ." 1 This word for liberates "I free, set free, liberate" is from a root word meaning free, exempt, not bound by an obligation. As partakers of God's divine nature, being born of Spirit, we are no longer obligated to the sinful nature but to righteousness which is God's nature. When we believe we receive the Spirit of promise, a guarantee of our inheritance, a great testimony that we are His children, it is a Spirit of Life. " Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." 24 The Son came not to condemn the world but to save it. "One trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. " 6 " He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and wa...

Theological Comparison of the New Covenant of Grace and the Old Covenant of the Law

Theological Comparison of the New Covenant of Grace and the Old Covenant of the Law: A Detailed Study Rooted in Ephesians 2:11–22 Introduction The theme of covenant is central to the biblical narrative, shaping God’s relationship with humanity from creation through redemption. The new covenant is called by Paul a ministry of reconciliation, righteousness, and of the Spirit. The shift from the old Mosaic covenant—rooted in the Law given to Israel at Sinai—to the new covenant of grace established in Christ, fundamentally redefines how people approach God, community, and salvation. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, particularly 2:11–22, provides a remarkably clear and rich theological exposition of this transition, addressing not only the spiritual implications for Jews and Gentiles but also the very nature of the church as God’s new creation. This report develops an in-depth, paragraph-driven theological comparison between the old and new covenants, structured around nine key themes de...

The Children of the Promise

not all the children of Abraham are descendants, rather "in Isaac that your descendants are called." This means it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God but the children of the promise are counted as descendants (Romans 9:7-8) The concept of "The Children of the Promise" is deeply rooted in Scripture, offering a profound understanding of God's covenant with humanity. Romans 9:8 declares, "That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring." This verse serves as a cornerstone in grasping the distinction between mere physical descent and the spiritual lineage established through faith in God's promises fulfilled in Christ. Abraham, often called the father of faith, exemplifies this spiritual inheritance. Genesis 15:6 affirms, "And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness." Abraham's faith in God's promises, ra...

The Gospel Message According to John (with Romans 5-8 Supporting)

1. The Universal Problem All are under sin and death through Adam’s transgression (Romans 5:12). This law of sin and death reigns over mankind apart from the law of the Spirit of life in Christ (Romans 8:2). Teaching Point: The universal problem is that because of Adam's one transgression, all are judged and condemned (Romans 5:16). This is the plight of mankind, but the gospel is good news. God sent his Son to solve this universal problem. Whether people are good or bad is revealed by the light of Jesus, see The basis of judgment in point 5. Thought : Seems unfair that mankind is judged and condemned because of Adam's transgression. We would have done the same, but God had a plan in the beginning that really deals with man freely loving him or not. The kingdom of God is like a fisherman catching both good and bad fish, in the end keeping the good and throwing away the bad. The basis of judgment, discussed...

Imputed Righteousness in Pauline Theology: Faith, and the Gift of Righteousness

Imputed Righteousness in Pauline Theology: Surrender, Faith, and the Gift of Righteousness Introduction: The Centrality of Righteousness in Pauline Thought The question of how humans are made right with God—how righteousness is obtained—lies at the very heart of New Testament theology. Nowhere is this question more thoroughly addressed than in the writings of the Apostle Paul, especially in his epistle to the Romans. Paul’s unique emphasis on imputed righteousness —the belief that God reckons or counts believers as righteous because of their faith in Jesus Christ, not because of their adherence to the Mosaic Law—shaped Christian doctrine decisively, drawing sharp contrasts with both Jewish legalism and later Christian movements that have sought to emphasize human cooperation in salvation. This essay systematically explores the concept of imputed righteousness as presented in Paul’s writings, with Romans as the focal text, integrating its relationship to surrender, faith, the...

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