There is an annoying commercial. Is that redundant? Aren’t all commercials annoying? Anyway, this commercial airs frequently on the channels where we watch baseball. The commercial is for youth advocacy programs. In the commercial a young man says, “I’ve done some stupid things, even committed some crimes, but I am not a criminal.”
The youth advocacy programs are probably quite good, mitigating for youth before they end up in prison and begin a cycle that often cannot be broken. It is just that comment that bothers me, “committed some crimes, but I am not a criminal.”
Merriam-Webster defines criminal as “a person who has committed a crime,” not as a person who has been convicted of committing a crime.
I am a criminal. I break the law every time I drive somewhere, usually a few miles over the speed limit. Sometimes I do not stop completely at a stop sign. I have never been convicted of my crimes, but I am still a criminal.
But it is my criminal activities against the Law of God which are far more important than my driving offenses. God is quite clear about His law. It is summed up “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” [Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18, Luke 10:26-28 HCSB]
Jesus told an inquirer that if you obey that law, “you will live.” Which means the reverse is true, if you do not obey that law, you will not live.
All of mankind is criminal because not even the greatest have been able to love God with all their heart, soul, strength and mind, or their neighbor as themselves. That is why Jesus came, to fulfill God’s law in all righteousness and then impart that righteousness to us.
It is a mystery, yes. It is difficult to understand, of course. But, oh the love and grace of God that is displayed for us criminals there.
