Nov
30
Fool for a Client
Filed Under Devotional
Ignorantia juris non excusat.
That’s Latin for, “Ignorance of the law does not excuse.” The principle is that just because you claim to be ignorant of the law you are accused of does not mean that you cannot be found guilty of the crime. This may seem unfair, but the alternative is anarchy. Everyone could claim ignorance of the law and escape punishment. Now, in modern jurisprudence, it is common to take ignorance of the law into account during sentencing. So, while you may have not known the law, you can be found guilty, but given a reduced sentence.
These are interesting concepts when you have been accused of a crime here on earth. However, I wouldn’t recommend the ignorance defense in front of God for two reasons. First, you can’t truthfully claim ignorance at all:
“(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)” Romans 2:14-15
The truth is written on your heart. You know, deep down, that you have broken God’s law. That makes you guilty.
Secondly, there are no appeals with God. His judgement is final. I wouldn’t want to stand before Him and depend on a trick defense. Stick with what He has told us will work:
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives” 2 Peter 3:10-11
So, when the heavens disappear with a roar and the elements are destroyed by fire, do you really see yourself forming a defense of your eternal destiny based on what you think is a legal technicality in God’s law?
Live a holy and godly life centered on Jesus Christ. Let Him argue your case.