The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin. Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge: But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing. (Deut. 24:16-18)
Judges and officers of Israel were not to be influenced by the condition or means of the victim or the accused. Justice was to be handed out evenly and impartially, with no consideration of the family, the nationality, or the status of those who came before the court. Because of Israel’s history as slaves in Egypt, all of Israel was to remember and treat others as they should be treated. Those in poor conditions were not to be further burdened by harsh penalties, unjust decisions, or corruption, neither were other members of the family to suffer for the sins of others.
In a honest and open society founded upon the principles of justice which are expressed in the Scripture, all judges would be blind to the conditions of the victim and the defendant and simply judge the matter before them. The reality of sin means that sometimes dishonest and unjust judges occupy positions of authority and attempt to rule and issue binding opinions upon others based on their prejudices. We all sometimes can be influenced unduly by others and that can affect our thinking and position. The Bible ought to be the basis for our thinking in every area, but often is not as we are influenced by other sources of authority.
While only those who have been truly born again by faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and have repented of their sins can hear from God from the Scriptures and be truly fair and do unto others, the principles of justice still apply. Those who are lost in their sins will stand before the Ultimate Judge for their sins and theirs alone and since they are already guilty they will pay for their sins for all eternity. Only Jesus Christ, who has paid for our sins can offer forgiveness of sin and freedom from the penalty of sin, not to sin more or sin all we want to, but true liberty from sin and victory over its temptations.
God has sent those who are His and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet