While a seminary student at Regent College I had an assignment to attend and report on churches in various worship traditions outside my own. One evening I attended mass in a nearby and unfamiliar town.

After leaving St. Joseph's Catholic church I pulled out of a side street onto what looked like a county road. I managed to reach 40 miles per hour before being pulled over and ticketed for going 15 miles per hour over the city limit.

Since I was new to the town and because of my chosen route, I had not seen the 25 miles per hour limit. Therefore I decided to plead my case before a judge.

The court date came and I had my arguments and justification all worked out. I had rehearsed my little speech over and over in my head.

Finally, the court clerk read out my name with the charges. The judge, dressed in a black robe—representing his designated authority and power—said, "Mr. Mutchler, do you have anything you wish to say?"

Here it was, my chance to speak! Surely the judge would understand and side with me. But to my surprise, it hit me at that moment that I was, in fact, guilty, and my excuses would do nothing to change that. All I could say to his question was "No, sir."

That moment brought to life what Scriptures say to those who think they're going to argue their case before God.