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by Haroldo S. Camacho (Author), Donavon Riley (Foreword by)
So many charges, so little forgiveness. So much fear, so little trust. So many chains, so little freedom. So much guilt, such great condemnation. Such great thick volumes of the law, so few pages granting pardons. This was my day in, day out reality as I worked in the courtrooms as a Certified Court Interpreter. You will enter the courtrooms. The narratives will almost make you believe you are present in the audience. You will follow divorce proceedings, murder felony trials, kids appearing in juvenile hall for truancy, drug trafficking in the schools, and more serious matters.
All these narratives become jumping boards for entering the greater courtroom. Here we must all appear before the judgment seat of God. And all our narratives and stories end here, because a new narrative begins. Not our own, but that of Another, our Substitute, our Attorney, our Judge, all in One, Jesus Christ the King of forgiveness!
In this courtroom, forgiveness overwhelms the charges. Trust casts out all fear. All chains are unshackled, as the Word of absolution breaks all fetters. "Your sins are forgiven" is the thread that binds all narratives in this devotional. The law gives way to the Gospel. Each story takes us from the earthly courtrooms where we hear mostly sentencing and condemnations, to the heavenly throne of grace. Here, the Judge of the Universe has only one Word: "Forgiven!" But how, on account of what law? Or on account of whom? You will see the answer clearly spelled out in each of the narratives of "All Charges Dropped!" Forgiven sinners walk away in total freedom, at this jaw dropping declaration of grace from the Judge of the universe. At God's Word, no guilt remains!
Author Biography
Haroldo Camacho writes from experiencing more than 20 years in the courtrooms. There he served as a certified court interpreter, translating simultaneously from Spanish into English and English into Spanish. He retired from the courtrooms in 2017. Apart from his interpreting skills, he is a trained theologian, having earned a Master's of Divinity, and a PhD in Pastoral Counseling. On occasion, he writes for 1517. He is now retired, living in Southern Florida, and a member at Our Savior Luther Church. There, he serves as a liturgist, Bible teacher, and occasionally preaches the Word of the Gospel. Haroldo is married to Registered Nurse Mercedes, and they both thank God for their 12 year old son, Orlando.
Donavon Riley is a Lutheran pastor, conference speaker, author, and co-host of The Banned Books and Warrior Priest podcasts. He authored the book, Crucifying Religion about his conversion from atheist to believer. He is also a Muay Thai and BJJ practitioner and operates the Warrior Priest Gym MMA.
