“How sharper than serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child,” says Shakespeare’s King Lear. Well, then, how about a thankless jailbird? Ask District Judge Killien of Seattle.
Eric Whipple appeared before Judge Killien on charges of car theft. The judge saw no reason to keep Whipple locked up while he awaited court action. He released him on his own recognizance. A short time later, Killien’s automobile disappeared. Police quickly found the stolen car, and the one who stole it. One day soon after, Judge Killien appeared in court in a new role, not as a judge, but as a witness against Eric Whipple who was accused of stealing the magistrate’s wheels.
A Japanese proverb reminds us that forgiving the unrepentant is like drawing pictures on the water. Ignoring sin may gain the sinner’s temporary gratitude, but makes no lasting impression. A forgiven thief is still a thief if no change of character takes place. God knew this when He chose to redeem mankind from sin. Many believe that God will simply ignore their sin, and they equate this with forgiveness. They fail to realize that a forgiven sinner is still a sinner if his nature has not been changed. By smiling nearsightedly at the crimes of man, the Lord would sin against His own justice and populate heaven with criminals.
God does not ignore sin, He removes it. He does not simply reject old faults, but provides a new nature. It is called “being justified” (Romans 5:9-10). We must never forget that the words of Christ to the prostitute were not, “Go thy way and do as you please” but, “Go thy way and sin no more” (John 8:11).
Do you seek to escape justice or to be justified by God’s grace and Christ’s mercy? God offers you liberty, not license, in the cleansing blood of Christ.
Borrowed