The Accuser

One of Satan's names is "Accuser".  Someone who accuses us is our adversary, so this is an appropriate name-title.  What implications might this have for us?

In a criminal trial, the parties are the complainant, the defendant, and the judge.  I am reminded of the following scriptures:

Jacob 6:13
Finally, I bid you farewell, until I shall meet you before the pleasing bar of God, which bar striketh the wicked with awful dread and fear. Amen.

Alma 12:12
And Amulek hath spoken plainly concerning death, and being raised from this mortality to a state of immortality, and being brought before the bar of God, to be judged according to our works.

Mosiah 16:10
Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption, and shall be brought to stand before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works whether they be good or whether they be evil—

There are several others I could quote as well.  The point is, when we see the word “bar,” it ought to call to mind a court or trial.  In this trial, each one of us will be a defendant.  We know that this is our role because we are the ones being judged.  Christ takes the role of judge.  After all, it is His bar.  So, that leaves the complainant. 

When we make a complaint against someone that results in them being tried in a court for a crime, we take on the role of accuser.  We accuse them of the crime, then they have to defend themselves.  The judge decides whether they are guilty and if they are, they are then sentenced.

Think about the people in your life who have wronged you.  Have you moved on, glad of the fact that when the final judgment comes, they will be judged for those things?   But in order for them to be judged of those things, someone must bring a complaint.  If you are the one who was hurt, it is YOU who will be called upon to file the accusation.  Otherwise there is no charge for the perpetrator to be charged with.

When you have your opportunity to file your complaint and make your accusation, what do you think will happen?  Remember, according to the law of justice, the punishment for sin is death.  Death from righteousness, that is.  It is removal from the presence of God completely, without even the Holy Spirit as a light.  Complete darkness.  So when your accusation is judged fairly, the penalty is spiritual death for the party who wronged you.

Ouch!  I guess that guy should not have been so unkind and unfeeling toward you.  Well, he got his.  Now it is your turn for judgment.  You enter the presence of the Lord, and He looks upon you with love and compassion.  He asks if anyone has any accusations against you.  You look around, confident in the saving grace of the Lord.  Then someone steps forward and tells the court about the time you….And you stop listening as you remember when you made such an awful mistake.  But surely you have been forgiven since then.  You have walked with the Lord for a long time.  You have been His friend.  What about the grace of salvation?

With horror, you realize that because you have made an accusation against another person, you must be held to the same standard that he was.  Therefore, the same punishment must be delivered to you that you would impose on your fellow man.  Otherwise the law of justice would not have proper claim. 

See, the thing is that mercy cannot claim you as her own if you make an accusation.  It would be unfair to the law of justice.  You are judged by the measure by which you judge another.  That standard is absolute, and only One among us ever merited of himself freedom from judgment. 

When others wrong you, or make mistakes, act like complete @sses, or harm you in any way, I implore you to remember the grace that Jesus Christ gives to us.  He is the way to salvation.  Without His grace, we are lost.  Do not accuse another.  If you do, you are in the employ of Satan, and will receive wages of him.  Break free from Satan’s grasp and come to Christ.  Then, at that day, His bar will be pleasing, and your conscience will be clear.