CRIME AND SIN by W. N. Glenn

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 23, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 50.

CRIME AND SIN.

By W. N. Glenn

"Odd Philosophy."

WHAT an odd philosophy religion brings about sometimes! Take Clara Fallmer's case, for instance. Before she murdered La Due she was a sinner of the most crimson brand and her chances for heaven were nit, according to the teachings of the theologians. Then came her crime, and her incarceration in jail has led to her embracing Christianity in the most fervid manner. According to every accepted theory of religion she is therefore now eligible for heaven, from which she was barred before. It may be said in consequence that the committing of a murder has brought about her eternal happiness. The same conditions apply to Ben Hill, and lots of other noted criminals.—Oakland Tribune.

As compared with the philosophy, or the logic, or the reasoning, or the judgment, of the world, Christianity or the plan of salvation is indeed an "odd philosophy." There is nothing like it in nature. Theoretically, and sometimes practically, the world's judgment grades crime and grades the penalty. The lesser crimes bring light punishment, or are passed over, and the greater ones the heavier retribution. This is the theory, and the correct theory regarding crime, and it is crime only that civil authority has a right to punish.

The philosophy of the world confounds crime with sin, and reasons from that standpoint in its criticism of God's dealing with sin and sinners. But crime is not always sin. It was crime when Peter and John disobeyed the order of the rulers that they should not preach in the name of Jesus; but it was not sin; for, as Peter said, "We ought to obey God rather than men." Now the penalty of all sin, whether men deem it great or small, is death. Whether the sinner be beaten with few stripes or many, his end is death. But "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin." The plan of salvation, which was conceived in the love, grace, and mercy of God, includes in its scope the chief of sinners. "Tho your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; tho they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

It is possible, then, for the vilest sinner to be justified by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Tho it be deemed necessary for the protection of society that he suffer life-imprisonment or even the penalty of the gallows, his sin may be all washed away in the blood of Christ. True, this is "odd philosophy," for it is the "mystery of godliness." God has not asked us to comprehend it; he appeals to us to believe it, because it is his Word, and our faith will be counted for righteousness.

The thief on the cross is a case in point. He was convicted of crime, and by his own confession he was suffering justly. His act was also sin against God, being a violation of the law of God, the penalty of which is eternal death. He was not converted till he was hung upon the cross, and knew that his profession of faith would bring only derision from the greater part of those who heard it. Yet, great as was his sin, and late as was the hour of his profession of faith, it was accepted by the Lord, and he was assured of a place in the eternal kingdom. As a matter of "philosophy," the incident was indeed "odd;" but as a manifestation of the love and saving power of God, through Jesus Christ, there was nothing strange about it, for "God is love," and has all power.

In giving his life for sinners, Christ certainly proved his willingness, and in his resurrection was demonstrated his power, "to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by him." The fact that God has set such a hope before us, should be a matter of rejoicing rather than a cause of encouraging skepticism in regard to his promises. Whether Clara Fallmer, or Ben Hill, or any other "noted criminal" is "eligible for heaven," depends entirely upon the completeness of their surrender to God, the genuineness of the conversion, and the continuance of faith, and not upon the philosophy of the world or the judgment of man.