“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