Well, I did my duty as Juror # 7 this past week. It took only 4 days to convict an already charged felon with two separate crimes. The man, in his early senior years was tattooed in many places including his fingers. As jurors, we were asked if those markings would influence our decision for a fair trial for him. While those skin changes do most certainly bring thoughts to mind, I knew they would not influence my decision to give him a fair trial as the facts and evidence would rule.
Each day, the 7 member jury were given specific information from the Judge about how to conduct ourselves. Each day we heard arguments from both the prosecution and the defense regarding this case. Too, there were witnesses for both the defense and the prosecution. Daily, a tablet and pen were put in our juror seat and we were given opportunity to simply listen to the facts in the case or write and listen. In the end, we would be allowed to carry our notes into the deliberation room.
This was my first time being on a jury. I had gone a couple of times before and sat in a jury pool room but was sent home. On this day, a Tuesday in January, 2016, I was selected to serve.
In my view, both parties, the defense folks and the prosecution folks were probably, in this situation together and the deal went wrong somewhere causing a fight which brought about anger, and bloodshed. A great many of the parties in this case were already felons, had drug convictions, or some tie to drugs so in all likelihood, it was a drug deal gone bad.
We’ll really never know. Those on the stand for both sides were very convincing and both could not be right because the stories were conflicting so someone was not telling the truth. That’s why a jury is called to determine truth so justice can be served.
I, myself had taken meticulous notes and had drawn portraits of all of the members of the courtroom, prosecution, defense, officers, witnesses and even the Judge. I was so ready to share my thoughts about the case. Listening intently to every word out of both the prosecution and defense lawyers’ mouths. I had really done what I was supposed to do.
On the final evening of the trial, it was getting late and we had all spent a long day in the courtroom when the judge gave the jury a choice to go home and return for a morning deliberation. The consensus was to return in the morning when we would be fresh and able to make sound decisions.
Upon returning the next day, with the closing arguments for both sides already completed, it was time for the jury to go into the deliberation room. The judge read the facts in the case and laid out clearly the job of the jury and then said, “The jury will all rise and go to the deliberation room, all except Ms. Ramey who was our alternate juror.”
I was shocked. It was as if a knife stuck me in the heart. Truly, I was surprised although I had wondered why there were 7 jurors when I always heard there were 6 jurors for a local case and 12 for a federal case. When leaving the courtroom, I was the first to leave out of the box and being “juror # 7” the last to return to the courtroom. I was the closest juror to the judge. I heard all of the evidence. I took copious notes and went the extra mile to sketch, use bulleted points and listen carefully. But, it was not about anything I did. It was the way in which the court system works.
A 7th juror was a must-have because if any one of the 6 jurors chosen could not perform their duty, a 7th would step in and do the job having heard all of the case and evidence. The judge thanked me for serving and told me she hoped I did not feel as if my time was wasted. I did not feel that it was wasted at all and in fact was glad to have served allowing me to see our justice system work. But, I was disappointed not to have been able to have my say, share my thoughts and be a part of the deliberation room process.
The Bible says that there are “many” who will be ready to go into heaven thinking they have done this or that and earned their way to heaven but Jesus himself said:
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21
My being shocked about not getting into the deliberation room after spending 3 full days and doing so much work brought my thoughts about God’s truth about heaven. Jesus said, “many” will come in my name thinking they will go to heaven but in truth, He will stop them at the door and it will not matter that they “gave money to the poor”, “went to church”, “was a nice person” or any of the nice things we think of ourselves.
Ephesians 2:8 helps us see that there is nothing that we do to save ourselves. It is a work of God.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”.
Has God saved you? You will know if he’s saved you if you really look at your life. The Bible says “For it is written that you may know that you have eternal life”. And, we “know” because we are doing God’s will. In other words, we are living out His will for our life and not our own. If you’re truly a Christian, Paul the apostle reminded us to “check to see if we’re of the faith” so we should be checking and double checking our faith. If a person is living a devil’s life, there is no salvation in that. You will know, if you’re checking to see if you’re of the faith by the true deeds of God at work. His work and not our own work.
Ask God to save your soul. We cannot save ourselves. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. Only He can save us. He will take us into heaven. Salvation is a work of God, the ultimate judge.