It seems as though we have all fallen into a time
warp and ended up in the mid-1990s (as of this writing). The Cowboys,
Patriots, Steelers, and Packers are all doing well, a Clinton
is looking to be in the White House, a Bush is in the White House,
and OJ Simpson is getting ready to be tried for a major crime.
OJ recently wrote a book entitled, If I Did
It: Confessions of a Killer, where he "theoretically"
admits to killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.
There is little doubt in the minds of many that OJ did kill them,
and the writing of this book is an arrogant display by a man who
believes he has gotten away with murder. The fact is that OJ will
one day answer for his crimes, whether he admits to them or not.
OJ is not the first to try to get away with wrongdoing,
and I suspect he will not be the last. Adam tried to blame Eve,
and Eve blamed the serpent for their wrongdoing in the garden
(Gen. 3). Cain used the "Am I my brother's keeper?"
defense after killing Abel out of jealousy (Gen. 4). Saul used
"The people made me do it" defense when he sinned by
not utterly destroying the Amalek people (1 Sam. 15). The list
could go on and on, but the lesson that must be learned from these
examples is simple. God will not be fooled by claims of innocence,
temporary insanity, or "My husband made me wear a wig so
I shot him in the back while he was sleeping" defense. The
Bible says, "... the Soul who sins shall die" Ez. 18:4.
Today, many attempt to justify sin or to rationalize
their wrongs so their conscience will be clear. The fact is very
simple. You and I have sinned (Rom. 3:23), and the result of our
sin is death (Rom. 6:23), or spiritual separation from God (Is.
59:1, 2). Some may claim that they have not sinned or demand proof
that they are guilty of sin, but a quick review of the following
passages will convince honest persons that they have been guilty
of one or more of these things God has called sin (Rom. 1:18-32;
1 Cor. 6:9, l0; Eph. 5:3-7; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 21:8). Some may
scoff at this, and others may seek out their defense attorney
to come up with a "good" defense for what they have
done.
Will you claim to be not guilty? Romans 3:23 proves
that this is not the case. Will you claim ignorance of God's Word?
2 Thess. 1:7-9, again, shows that not knowing will not result
in a free pass. Will you claim that you did everything in the
name of religion or the name of Christ? Jesus shows that not every
one who says, "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of
Heaven, but those who do the will of God (Mt.7:21-23). Perhaps
you will try to justify your behavior by pointing out that you
have not sinned as much as a neighbor down the street. The fact
is that you will not answer for your neighbor, and he will not
answer for you; you and your neighbor are not the standard. You
will answer to God's Word for what you have or have not done (Jn.
12:48; 2 Cor. 5:10). Maybe you think God will overlook His Word
and let you into Heaven anyway. God will not allow anything that
is an abomination or a lie into Heaven (Rev. 21:27), but only
those whose names are in the Lamb's book of life. If you think
you can find a loophole in God's Law, you are simply deceiving
yourself (Gal. 6:7).
Knowing the reality of sin and the fact that God
will not be fooled by "If the glove does not fit, you must
acquit," one must realize that there is only one recourse
in escaping the just judgment to come: Call upon the Lord to show
mercy.
God sent Jesus to die as a sacrifice for our sin
(Rom. 5:8, 9) and has set the plan of salvation that can be easily
found in His Word. (Ps. 119:60; Jn. 14:6; Jn. 8:24; Lk. 13:3,
5; Mt. 10:32, 33; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Rev. 2:10;
Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 Cor. 15:58).
Instead of trying to take OJ's way out, we ought
to admit to our sins and seek the Lord and His Way of salvation.
There is no "If I did it." We need to admit that we
have sinned and turn to God and accept His grace. God will forgive
those who truly call upon Him by their faithful obedience to His
Word. Rt. 2 Box 207-C, Red House, WV 25168.