A Criminal Mind

I feel like I owe the gangsta guy an apology. I was a ‘good person’ too, before I met Jesus. I’m just saying it’s sad that no matter how vile we are, without Christ, we really don’t see it. This isn’t just for known criminals. It’s for people like me. If you had have known me in 1996 and if you had asked me, I would have told you the same. More accurately, I really didn’t even remember many of the darkest scenes of my life. Strange isn’t it?

So if you aren’t a follower of Jesus Christ, I really don’t expect you to see yourself as being a sinner. I guess it might happen from time to time. There might be some people who live life like the man in Gowan’s 'Criminal Mind'

“A criminal mind, is all I’ve
All I’ve ever had.
Ask one whose known me
If I’m really so bad.
I am.”

If that is you, it’s likely the exception as opposed to the rule. I expect you to be much more like me.

Even if you tried to coerce your kid sister in to having sex with you,
Even if you stole business from your place of work,
Even if you had sex with animals
Even if you are a drug dealer
Even if you abuse your family
Even if you had sex with your cousin
Even if you have intentionally slandered your own family
Even if you look at child pornography,

I expect you to be like I was. Even if you are or have been these things, I expect you to tell me that you aren’t a bad person. In fact, there is nothing that you could possibly have done which would likely compel you to see yourself as being bad. You might not even really remember doing those things.

By the way, some of my past sins are in the list. I tell you that just so you know that I’m not picking on anyone in particular. In fact, if you can guess which crimes were mine, I’ll give you a nickel. I was going to say a quarter, but seeing as this is available worldwide, I want to make sure I have the cash. One other thing – you have to come and collect in person. I won’t mail you the nickel.

I don’t expect you to live as if you have believed on the living person of Jesus. You might have your own religion. You might even have a Christian form of your own religion, but I don’t expect you to live as if you believe. In fact, if there is no God, there is no such thing as sin. Is there? If on the other hand, you are beginning to see yourself as being sinful, you might be on the verge of recognizing your need for Jesus.