I find it amazing how the world, who doesn't even believe in following nor accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and savior, can quote part of a single old testament law such as an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. And then take that same law and apply it to everyone who doesn't live up to their idea of a good citizen/human being. But what I find even more amazing and disconcerting is when do called professed Christians use this scripture not just out of context but also to condemn anyone that disobey's their interpretation of the law. As if to say they are the ones that made the law in the first place.
I had a discussion with a man who is a Christian believer and we got on the subject of inmates and those who do crimes against humanity i.e. murderers, child molesters, and rapist. Now I can tell you first hand that being a preacher or minister really means nothing in terms of your opinion. Just because you are a carrier of the gospel doesn't mean your opinion in this particular matter...matters. he went on saying he has no love for them and that an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. And so I'm, when I get the chance to, am trying to bring up another old testament law in reference to stoning An adulterous person. And I try to ask him should the woman be stoned. He never really gave an answer. I think mainly because it was in reference to a woman and that law is in the same bundle of other laws of God. So his answer was "well yea I know...but I still think they should pay". Mind you no one was against someone paying for their crimes according to the law of the land. But my point was; what about grace? What about forgiveness.
Now mind you being an ex inmate and a felon I'm somewhat sympathetic to those who have made mistakes and crimes against the law. Not for the same of getting off without punishment. But for the sake of the gospel and a true opportunity to be a light. Just because someone doesn't want to come into the light doesn't mean you turn the lights out. When this man decided to condemn someone based on his interpretation of God's law he turned out the light. The light of Christ that is supposed to live within every believer was completely snuffed out.
I read the actual text and yes in exodus 21:24 it does say an eye for an eye abd a tooth for a tooth. The verse before that is verse 23, which states...but if any damage follows, then you shall give a life for a life. Well the text starts off with but. Meaning what preceded this verse is in direct contrast to what follows the verse. So then we need to go back to verse 22...which states that if men contend with each other, and a pregnant woman is hurt while interfering so that she has a miscarriage, yet no further damage follows, the one who hurt her shall surely be punished with a fine to the woman's husband, as much as the judges determines. So as we can see this particular law is in relation to a pregnant woman being harmed beyond a miscarriage. But yet people continue to misread and misuse this law and then apply it as they deem fit.
In the book of James chapter 2 verse 10 it states that whosoever keeps the law as a whole but stumbles in one single instance has become guilty of breaking all of it. Verse 11 reads...for her who said. You shall not commit adultery, also said you shall not kill. If you do not commit adultery but do kill, you have become guilty of transferring the whole law. The whole law brothers and sisters. So if that is the case, and the bible clearly states that it is; then why are we pointing fingers at others not living up to the very law we can't live up to ourselves? Everyone wants to be judge, jury, and executioner. We want our voice to matter most and God is saying only my voice matters. Not your interpretation of my word but my word alone. It's the same as a judge told me once "ignorance of the law does not negate the violation of it". We transgress God's laws without even knowing it. But thanks be to God Christ died for all our transgressions against his laws. But he died for all but only those who accept his sacrifice are saved. We need to really work on letting the holy spirit show us how to extend the very same grace he extended unto us.
Karma says you get what you put in. Christ says I'll give you what you don't even deserve. Karma is not better that Christ and it is not the explanation of life but an excuse to blame what you didn't get as an answer to your own behavior. The word pardoned falls in line with the word grace. Criminals are pardoned not because they deserve it but because a higher up deemed it more beneficial to show mercy than wrath. Every last one of us is a transgressor of the law and are hereby guilty. But when Christ died for our sins he gave us a pardon. Not because we were so Holy but because he loved us more than wanting to punish us. He took the penalty instead of us. Yes he pardoned us but the law still had to be fulfilled. Someone has got to pay. Christ stepped in so you didn't have to.
So please try and remember that people mess up and yes some more than others but in the eyes of God you are the one that should be crucified. But instead he showed us mercy through his son Jesus Christ. That my brothers and sisters is the gospel plain and simple. -be blessed and a blessing
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