God's Innocence Project
"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books
were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were
judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books." - Revelation
20:12
January 16, 2001, Christopher Ochoa was freed from prison for a crime he didn't
commit. In 1989, Christopher was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a
young woman in Travis County, Texas. In 1995, the real murderer confessed to the
crime, but Christopher remained in prison. In 1999, Christopher wrote to The
Wisconsin Innocence Project asking for help. The Innocence Project movement
began in 1983 with James McCloskey, a former executive who was called to the
ministry. After graduating from Princeton University with a Masters of Divinity,
James started the non-profit organization. The Innocence Project's mission is to
free from prison and clear the names of individuals who are completely innocent
of crimes for which they have been convicted and imprisoned. More than a dozen
Innocence Projects operate nationwide and they have helped free more than 100
innocent individuals. The Wisconsin Innocence Project team took Christopher's
case and had DNA testing on crucial evidence. They convinced an Austin Court
that Christopher was innocent of the crime. "I'd like to thank God. And I want
to give him all the praise for making this possible" said Christopher upon his
release.
All men and women are guilty of sin. Only Jesus Christ is innocent. And it is
trusting in Christ's innocence that brings us salvation. Are you relying on your
works or Christ's finish work for your salvation? Today in prayer, thank Christ
for His "Innocence Project," where He is innocent and yet He paid the price for
your sin. Thank Him that your name is in the book of life because you trust in
His work on the Cross.
"The entire New Testament is overshadowed by the certainty of a coming day of
universal judgment, and by the problem thence arising: how may we sinners get
right with God while there is yet time?" - J.I. Packer
God's Word: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that
each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body,
whether good or bad." - 2 Corinthians 5:10
By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2002, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN REVELATION
pkennedy@devotional.com