Am I a Criminal?

For all have sinned, and come
​short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23

It's been said that life is a matter of perception…

This being how we see the world, and people. But based on the information we get from various sources, we may not always be seeing things correctly. So it is important for the followers of Christ to look at every person or situation through His eyes, and with His heart.

For instance, society usually sees ex-offenders as "criminals." But my questions to this are: If an individual has committed a crime in the past, but at some point had a spiritual transformation which brought a radical change in his life, so much so that he has long since renounced his criminal ways and no longer engages in any forms of criminal activity, is he still a criminal? And if this individual no longer has the desire to break the law, should this negative label continue to hang over him?

How would God see someone like me now? As a killer, or as a redeemed and restored human being who loves His creation? And as one who is now a member of His family through placing my faith in His Son, Jesus? Am I still to be regarded as an evil person, and a "Monster?"

To look at this issue through God's mind and eyes takes courage. It goes against the mindset of the media and the masses. It challenges an indoctrination process society has been subjected to for many years, perhaps even for decades.

I would also ask what about Bible characters such as King David, Moses, and the apostle Paul? King David plotted and orchestrated the death of one of his most faithful and loyal generals. David had Uriah killed in order to hide his adulterous relationship with Uriah's wife. But David would later repent of his murderous act. He would continue as a king and ruler who wrote many of the Psalms that millions have enjoyed throughout the centuries.

Moses slew a man in an act of anger. It was deliberate. The Scriptures reveal that he looked all around to see if anyone was watching. He then struck the man, killing him. Afterwards, he tried to bury his victim to hide the crime. Exposed, he fled from the land of Egypt to remain a fugitive from justice for forty years. Moses remained in hiding until God called him to return to Egypt in order to lead his people out of slavery and bondage. A murderer and fugitive became the greatest hero and deliverer the Hebrew people had ever known.

And finally, the apostle Paul. Formerly, a sworn enemy and persecutor of his fellow Jews, who embraced Jesus as their Savior and Messiah. By his own admission, he beat both men and women, had them arrested, and even killed many of them. But when the Lord Jesus called him, he went from being the murderous "Saul of Tarsus" to becoming the greatest champion of the Christian faith. He would eventually write at least one-third of what would later become the New Testament.

To look at all of this through God's eyes means going against what many have believed, or perhaps have been programmed to believe - once a criminal, always a criminal. While this may be true in some cases, it is not true in all cases. Christ has come to save us from our sins. He came to forgive and restore all who need forgiveness and restoration. He came to redeem all who want and need redemption.

This is something to think about.

D.B.