Picking any newspaper or listening to the news on television we read and hear about despicable acts that are taking place around us. There is no other way to categorize many of these acts except as they are, vile, evil and despicable. As Christians, how do we judge? What should we judge? Are we to judge others? Do we judge their acts? Sure we do. Should we go beyond judging the acts of a person? Their character? Should we wish them damnation?
One needs to visit Christian communities on the internet or to listen to Christians talk amongst themselves and we can easily discern their attitude toward these sinners that commit heinous acts. Christians are ready to condemn and are very quick to do so. Recently I was reading a Christian internet site and the topic of discussion was about a woman who shot herself in the stomach to rid herself of the child she was carrying. They baby was a 9 month old child that was due to be born the very next day. She murdered her child. Murder of her unborn child that was to be born the next day is evil. Some of the comments were calling for vengeance outside of what is prescribed by the laws of our land. I was saddened, as not once did a Christian state that she should be prayed for as to her salvation. Sure, she deserves to go to jail and for the rest of her life. If the death penalty were sought, it would be a just punishment for this heinous crime. But that is the purpose of the laws of the land. As Christians, we are not to pray that her circumstances are eased as to her crime but we should and are commanded to pray for her salvation.
It seems that Christians have collectively forgotten but for the grace of God, we would be in her state, and that is condemned. Each and every one of these people that commit these heinous acts is already condemned by God. Make no mistake, there is no worse fate than to die without atonement.
As evil as what these people do in our eyes, the condition we were in before we were saved and received the imputed righteousness of Christ, God’s view of us is more despicable than these vile acts are in our sight. Scripture states that at our best, our most righteous acts in the sight of God is as filthy as a dirty rag.
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We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. Isaiah 64:6 (ESV)
Prior to receiving Christ, at our very best, the best righteous deed that we could possibly do was viewed by God as a filthy rag.
Is it fair that these people get away with this? No, of course not. It is not fair that Jesus had to suffer on our behalf on the cross and pay OUR penalty for OUR sins so that we can spend eternity in His presence. But for the grace of God, born again, regenerated Christians will not pay the just consequences of our sin.
We should not make excuses for these people for their acts are wicked and depraved. The world tries to excuse these loathsome behaviors with such excuses such as a bad childhood, or they were depressed – the list of excuses is endless. While it may seem that some get away with these acts, such as murdering unborn children, make no mistake, they do not. God will exact justice. Vengeance does not belong to us, vengeance belongs to the Lord. Yet, all criminal behavior in the here and now should be punished.
Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’ Deuteronomy 32:35 (ESV)
Should these people pay for their crimes
while on earth? Absolutely. Unfortunately, some do not – they seem to get away with it. Whatever punishment we can impose on them cannot begin to compare what God will impose. As Christians, should we pray for their happiness or pray that their lives go well? A resounding NO. However, what scripture tells us to do is pray for their salvation and preach the Good News to sinners. These people need salvation as much as you and I did. Again, but for the grace of God, we are saved. All our despicable thoughts and deeds have been forgiven.
We do not need to condemn any of these people for they are already condemned by God. However, it is a very sad state of affairs when instead of praying or preaching the Good News, Christians have taken it upon themselves to condemn the lost. They are sinners and will do sinful acts, some more vile than others. Our society should lock up and punish these people.
In 1 Corinthians Chapter 5, Paul is speaking to the Church in Corinthia. He is speaking to them about those members of the body of Christ that are involved in sin. Paul ends it with that we are not to judge those outside of the church but only those that are in the church. We are to disassociate with those believers that are sinning but are not told to disassociate with those that are not believers. Scripture states that those outside the church, God judges.
For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 (ESV)
Christians can judge an act to be sinful and when that act is criminal, the person should be punished according to the laws of the land. Beyond that, the sinner will be judged by God. Christians have collectively taken it upon themselves to do the job that God has reserved for Himself and that is condemnation of the sinners.
Let’s not forget what we were before we received His imputed righteousness. Sinners are getting what they deserve from God and that is condemnation. Christians have received what they do not deserve and that is salvation.
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