Is justice ever served?

 I think we've all heard the saying “let the punishment fit the crime.” Humanity has always had a means of providing consequences for crimes committed...there has always been in place a system of justice. Or at least we've tried to. In some countries, hands are still cut off as punishment for theft; in others, 'an eye for an eye' is still used as literal retribution for crime; in still other places, stoning or beheading may be the sentence for adultery, rape, murder or drug trafficking. Even in our own country, we see a wide variety of consequences for a wide variety of criminal activity, from fines, community service, probation, prison time and sometimes even the death penalty, depending on the crime committed and the state or local jurisdiction, for offenses ranging from petty theft to first-degree murder.

PC: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/08/criminal-justice-system-failing-victims-majority-feel-unsafe-chief-victims-advisor/_jcr_content/par/video/image.dynimg.1280.q75.jpg/v1565120272734/GETTY-Justice-Generic-220218-1120.jpg

But I'm not writing here about the virtues or failures of any judicial system, either here in our country or abroad. I want to think for a moment about whether justice is really ever served. If someone breaks into your home, sifts through your personal belongings and treasures, and takes your possessions, will any penalty imposed on the criminal ever restore your sense of security? When your home is invaded, you are left feeling uncovered and violated; will the perpetrator's days in prison really make up for the hundreds of times you walk in the door of your house, wondering if it's happened again? When you have been slandered, will any financial compensation cause the words to be unsaid or remove all question in the mind of those who may have heard the lies that were told about you? Does someone else's death ever make full restitution for the senseless killing of a family member or friend? Does man's justice ever erase the crime that was inflicted on us or a loved one?

One day we will all stand before a Judge, to Whom we must give an account; there will be no attorney, working on our behalf, trying to find loopholes or leniency for the crimes we have committed. And make no mistake...we will be held accountable for every thoughtless (or thoughtful) act, every careless word and every intent of our hearts, before Him whose eyes see it all; nothing will be hidden, but all will be laid bare before Him. Hebrews 4:13 says, “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” And right there, before the judgment seat of God, justice will INDEED be served. All sin, all crime, all offenses are ultimately against a Holy God; all of us have fallen short of the glory of God, of His standard. (Romans 3:23) And, unless we have acknowledged our brokenness and sinfulness before God, and received new life in Jesus Christ, we remain condemned to death, no hope of heaven, no hope of eternal life in the presence of the One who created us. (John 3:17). Justice is served in the death of Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, who carried our sin and took our criminal sentence upon Himself; the penalty has been paid in full. In the death of this innocent One, justice has been served. And if your life is not hidden with Christ today, know for certain that, at the final trial, one way or another, God will act; each one of us will either be exonerated in Christ, or we will be found guilty. Justice will be served.

PC: https://www.mygc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/YOUTH_JUSTICE.jpg