A certain man entered into a "partnership"
with another to send fraudulent emails in order to obtain personal
information from unsuspecting Internet users. The partner was
also a practicing homosexual. The man left his wife and became
homosexually involved with his new partner. Together, they were
very successful in stealing the identities of many people and
obtained a large amount of money.
Later, this man encountered one who was a Christian
and, in the process of stealing his identity and defrauding him,
became personally acquainted with him. He was impressed with the
integrity of the Christian and began studying the Bible with him.
He soon learned the gospel of Christ, and, believing that Jesus
was the Christ, he repented of his sins and was baptized into
Christ for the remission of sins. Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 2:38.
Upon hearing and obeying the gospel of Christ,
this man was confronted with serious decisions. What was he to
do about his previous "lifestyle" and vocation? What
was he to do about his partnership? What was he to do about the
hundreds of innocent people whom he had swindled of their money?
What was he to do with his ill-gotten money? These questions arise
from a sincere heart that seeks to do what is right. The Holy
Bible provides guidance to such a heart.
In the first place, God commands this one to depart
from immoral and dishonest practices. All forms of fornication
(including homosexual relationships) are sinful. Read Rom 1:22-32.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace
may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live
any loner therein?" Rom 6:1, 2. Any marriage that is unlawful
before baptism is unlawful after baptism. Baptism does not sanctify
unholy wedlock.
His profession must change. He can no longer lie
and steal. "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather
let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good,
that he may have to give to him that needeth." Eph 4:28.
He must end his unlawful partnership. "Be
ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship
hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath
light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial?
Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?" 2 Cor
6:14-18. All partnerships need not be dissolved, only those that
are unlawful.
He must return all illegally gotten money. He
must make all restoration and restitution possible. It is irresponsible
for anyone to suggest that stolen properties may be kept when
one repents of sin. When Jesus and salvation came to Zaccheus'
house, Zaccheus stood and said, "Behold, Lord, the half of
my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from
any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold." Lk
19:8. I, personally, believe Zaccheus had these principles before
Jesus came to his house. However the matter, he certainly had
them after Jesus came. How far must restitution go? As far as
is possible. Some things cannot be restored, e.g. the lives of
murder victims, etc. Why would a repentant person not wish to
restore?
Dear friends, "Know ye not that the unrighteous
shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither
fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor
abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous,
nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the
kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed,
but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the
Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians
6:9-11. Truly, if we have been risen with Christ, we must mortify
our members upon the earth and seek those things which are above.
Col 3:1. Editor.