Hours ago a shocking verdict of not guilty was handed down to Casey Anthony, a jury of her peers declaring she was not responsible for the death of her two-year old daughter. And then, as it has been known to do, the internet (Facebook and Twitter) exploded with outrage.

I've not been following the trial in detail and am not here to comment on her actual guilt or innocence. Rather, I'd like to highlight what our reaction says about us and our intrinsic desire for justice.

While many of us have no problem calling for justice for Caylee Anthony and her murder, and were aghast at the alleged murderer being set free, many are just as appalled when they are told they will be called into account for their actions by a perfect judge who will know perfectly and judge perfectly.

This "harsh" judgement is simply not compatible with our understanding of a loving God, who will mercifully overlook our sins and only find the good in each one of us. Unfortunately, this view of God is also incompatible with scripture, and leads us to a false understand of God.

Yes, He is love, but love is not God. God is also just and holy. He is holy and has a standard for us and when we fall short of them, He is right and perfect in calling us to justice. He is not malicious, evil, petty or micromanaging in this justice; He is right and true and perfect in doing so, because we, the creation, have step out of the bounds set by God, our creator.

11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. - Revelation 20

It is only in light of this right and true judgement which His love shows its true depth and beauty. While we awaited deserved judgment He extended the greatest of mercies, offering for His son to take our place. He doesn't erase the judgment, but instead allows our punishment to be satisfied by placing it on someone else. He offers this, but doesn't force it on anyone; we must choose it, to have our place taken by the only Innocent One.

4 Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. 5 And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. - 1 John 3

But He must not only take the place of judgment for us, He must also take the place of leadership. He must take over so we don't end up where we were. He must have complete control of us, from the ground up, changing and transforming us, not simply becoming a cosmic mommy, asked to wipe up when every we make a mess of our lives.

So cry, cry out for justice for Caylee Anthony! But where do you think your sense of judgment comes from?

Do not be angry when the same expectation of justice is placed on your life by the one who Created you. Do not be surprised when you have no fancy lawyer, no jury of your peers to help you slither out of deserved justice. You will only have two choices: point to yourself and your life, never knowing how deeply you've offended your Creator, and fall a chasm short of innocence...or point to Jesus and say "I have hid myself in Him. He has become my innocence, my bearer of punishment. My life is His, not my own. I have chosen His ways, not mine, and any good thing in me is only because of him. I know I am guilty and freely admit it, but He has made me innocent."

Make your choice today, friends. If your desire for justice is this strong, how much stronger will it be in the one who is perfectly just? Choose the one, Jesus, who can make you truly innocent.