About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
(Acts 25:14-20 KJV)
Paul finds himself in custody; being questioned by Festus; being accused of things that are not even criminal offenses by the Jews. Paul has challenged them to send him to Caesar to be tried since it is his right as a Roman citizen. But, Festus can find no charge that he can bring to warrant sending Paul to trial.
We see it all the time. People are falsely accused publicly. Reporters seem to be getting real good at it in recent years. They judge situations before all of the story is actually in. The stories explode without the truth ever being uncovered. By the time the accusations get to court, everyone has their opinions about guilt or innocence based on biased reports; sometimes out right lies. Innocent men and women's reputations are dragged through the mud without any good cause.
Usually the cause has to do with things like a desire for things that don't belong to you or maybe just a desire for more power. Forget your ego; forget your desire for power. Live life and let others live their lives as well!
There is enough real crime in the world to have to deal with. Why waste anyone's time with petty and slanderous disputes? Petty disputes can be taken care of without going to court. All it takes is a little bit of empathy and the willingness to listen to and to talk to one another without attacking them.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
(Col 3:12-15)
