Redemption 5-3-09
I read an article about a Cambodian minister named Christopher LaPel. The article was titled “Is there anything God can’t forgive” (Mary Murphy, Purpose Driven Connection, 2009) and reported on LaPel’s work with a man named Hang Pin; Pin had run the Tuol Sleng prison and was responsible for the brutal murders of over 17,000 people in the 1970’s. LaPel got involved with Pin in 1996, knowing him only as a school teacher (later he found out about Pin’s past). The article discussed some of the controversy surrounding Pin, who is in prison being tried in court for his activities with the Khmer Rouge in the 1970’s; since 1996 Pin has been preaching and teaching the gospel (including while in prison). Some feel that his actions since the Khmer Rouge were overthrown in 1979, especially his conversion to Christ, should in some way mitigate the charges against him (or at least weigh in at the sentencing). Others feel that justice should be meted out, regardless of his behavior since or of his conversion.
There are a great many Christians that are confused about the nature of redemption and justice. It seems that there are many who call themselves Christians who view the gospel message as a “wipe the slate clean” sort of message. But is that really what happens to us by the redemptive power of Jesus?
All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Galatians 3:10-14 NIV)
Here we see that Christ redeemed us from the “curse of the law”, referring to the previous quoting of Deuteronomy 27:26 (”Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law”). This “curse of the law” was that if at any time you broke the law, you were forever condemned as a lawbreaker. We therefore are given the blessing through faith in Jesus, not in observance of the law. But this is dealing with our relationship with God, not our relationship with the civil authorities!
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:1-7 NIV)
There is a difference between being redeemed from bondage to death through the law, and being punished by the government for having committed crimes. Jesus has given us salvation, so that we need not any longer be slaves to a life of sin; but just because we are forgiven of our sins does not mean we are not responsible for them! If I steal a car, I can be forgiven of the sin that I committed; but I still am guilty of the crime of grand larceny and will likely go to prison.
Christians should not be lobbying to end the just punishment of criminals, nor should we be about the punishment or neglect of criminals – that’s what our government is for! Rather we should spend our time reaching out to the prisoners so that they too can obtain redemption and forgiveness.