Specifically, there is an intriguing quote from Captain Jean-Luc Picard in an episode from the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. In this episode, the crew of the Enterprise are exploring a new planet and have initiated contact with the native species which inhabits the planet. While visiting the planet, the child of one of the crew members inadvertently breaks one of the laws of the land when he crushes some new plants while playing ball. The law enforcement agents show up and prepare to hand down the punishment. The catch is, that in order to create their seemingly Utopian society, this race has instituted a policy in which any and all crimes are punishable by death. The "mediators" even break out the syringe in order to administer the lethal injection immediately. Of course, the other crew members step in to delay the execution, and Captain Picard himself is forced into action to try and negotiate for the life of the boy. His appeal is denied because the child did break a law and ignorance of the law is not a valid defense. Picard is forced to deliberately disregard the laws and customs of the new planet and take the child back to the Enterprise to escape punishment. He tries explaining to the newly discovered people why his culture views capital punishment as barbaric. Then he says something profound.
"There can be no justice so long as laws are absolute."
I was watching this in the early morning as I was getting in a little workout time on the stationary bike. I was astonished. I actually stopped pedaling and ran the DVD back to hear it again.
What a tremendous illustration of our relationship with God as mere humans.
Sin is the act of breaking God's law. Imagine if every sin, regardless of our perception of the severity, were punishable by certain and immediate death. Would you still be alive?
I wouldn't be. As a matter of fact, I am certain that there would be no humanity left. Thank God for rainbows.
Rainbows? What?
Yeah, rainbows. You see, the rainbow is a sign of God's promise to Noah, and ultimately to all of us, that He would never again wipe mankind from the planet. (Genesis 8:20-9:17) This is exactly what would happen if God were to enforce his laws absolutely.
Why? Two reasons.
One, God would have no choice but to punish the entire human species. We are all sinners. No exceptions. "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
Two, the punishment would be death rather than some lesser form of criminal punishment. "The wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23
So, why are we still here watching basketball, writing and (hopefully) reading blogs? Why aren't we all floating face down in a flood brought on by our own failures?
The simple answer is grace...God's amazing grace. We can root for/against Lebron James. We can express our thoughts and emotions on the internet. We can live, just be alive, because our God is gracious and has chosen not to ruthlessly enforce the ultimate punishment allowed by the law.
Why can't we emulate this in our personal lives? No, we can't just ignore or overturn the laws of the land. Rather, the next time you find yourself in a place where a rule or guideline has seemingly been broken, try extending a little grace instead of immediately reaching for the euthanasia. Put yourself in the rule breaker's shoes, and imagine how incredibly relieved you would be when granted mercy rather than receiving the judgement that you genuinely deserve.
Just think back to when you received salvation. When your eyes truly opened and you actually could see how hopeless and lost in sin you were. When you understood that your sins had literally sentenced you to death. How undeniably grateful were you; how irreversibly grateful ARE you that God would say something like...
"There can be no justice so long as laws are absolute."
How precious did that grace appear the hour you first believed? (Wow! Someone should put that in a song.)
Scripture: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
Quote: "Remember happiness doesn't depend on who you are or what you have; it depends solely on what you think." - Dale Carnegie
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