The AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES of SIN There are several judicial aspects that are analogous to sin which was the consequence of Adam’s disobedience. In political law, the violation of Adam and Eve was tantamount to “treason.” In civil law, it was “an offence.” The closest that we can compare the sin of Adam and Eve was in Criminal law. It was a “crime.” Paul did substantial explanations and elaborations regarding this judicial aspect especially in the Book of Romans. I presume that Paul was a lawyer before he was converted to Christ. He used legal terminologies to explain our spiritual status before and after we have accepted Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. The sin of Adam and Eve was a criminal act. It was a “mala prohibita, “ in contradistinction to “mala en se” which act by nature is evil. An example of this crime is murder. Although there is nothing inherently evil in eating; it became evil when God precluded Adam and Eve from eating the fruit of the forbidden tree. God’s command, “but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you of it you will surely die,” partakes the nature of a law with “ punitive effect. “ Meaning to say that Adam and Eve will be punished if they disobey God. What was the punishment? It was death, a capital punishment of “spiritual death;” NOT a physical death as many Christians believe including Pastors and Theologians. Why? Because of their created nature that they are “mortal.” So, even though they did NOT sin, they will die anyway eventually. We must distinguish the “nature” from the “act.” Proof of this is that when Adam and Eve ate of the fruit; they did NOT die physically, but they died spiritually! Sin did NOT kill them physically. Conversely, when anyone has Christ in him; that does NOT make him immortal YET. He will still die awaiting resurrection to attain immortality. The penalty of sin was fixed. It was a “spiritual death.” It was the principal penalty. That implies separation from God which is worse than physical death. In criminal law, the circumstances surrounding the act of the crime may add burden or make the penalty heavier. This was an accessory penalty. This is called the aggravating circumstances. There are several elements in order to consider that the crime committed carries with it the penalty with the aggravating circumstances. One element is only needed so that the crime committed can be imposed with aggravating circumstances besides the main penalty. So, what was the aggravating circumstance in the case of Adam’s sin? The sin (crime) committed by Adam and Eve was “an insult, in contempt of and disregard of respect to the Sovereign Authority Who is God!” How was this accessory penalty imposed? It was imposed on the physical life of Adam and Eve as well as upon all mankind. To the woman God said, “I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” To Adam God said, “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” What is the opposite of aggravating circumstances? It is mitigating circumstances. It means, to alleviate or to make less severe the pains of the penalty imposed. Was there an element of a mitigating circumstance in the crime of Adam and Eve? At least I see one element and that was; that the crime or sin was instigated by an outside irresistible force. How was the mitigating circumstance implemented? It was implemented by implication when The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and Eve and He clothed them. But now, in the New Testament, Our Lord Jesus Christ expressed that mitigating circumstance when He said; “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” This good news indeed! Since I responded to the call of Jesus through the Gospel, I came to Him and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior; my life has been changed: for the better! I don’t have to struggle with the burden of living and the guilt of sin because God has already forgiven me and He has provided all our needs. As a Pastor of a church; I don’t receive much salary. I don’t complain and I will not complain. Somehow, God compensated me in some other ways; not only in terms of money or materials things but in having good health, a loving and very supportive wife and family. God gave us favor with people who trusted us with ministry. We have sufficiency in Christ and more than enough so that we are able to share and help those who are needy. I am NOT a “pauper Pastor.” I am living a mitigated Christian life. Modesty aside, I have seen other people who make lots of money but it seems that they always are in need. I really don’t understand quite honestly why in spite of their big income, they are in debt and they are always borrowing money. Besides, they are also living a miserable life. Someone told me the reason; there is “a curse.” Well, that curse can be reversed into a life of “blessings.” How? Right now; open your heart to God: Repent of your sins, invite Jesus Christ into your heart and accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior. Your life will be changed into a blessed one. God is a God of blessings. Even though you don’t have much in terms of money or material possessions; “little is much when God is in it.” “The blessings of the Lord; it makes rich and adds no sorrow to it.” The best and the most wonderful news of all is that of the “JUSTIFYING CIRCUMSTANCES.” This means that we will NOT incur criminal liability. We are ABSOLVED from the punishment of spiritual death and hell. We will not be separated from God anymore but we are instead reconciled with Him. Wow! How did that happen? Was there any element of justifying circumstance in the sinful or criminal act of Adam to warrant this? NO, there was NONE! It was totally the JUDICIAL ACT of our SOVEREIGN GOD who did this through the sacrificial death of His Son Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. We call this act; GRACE and MERCY. This is what Paul was talking all about in the Book of Romans. Just to quote a few Paul said, “Therefore, since we have been JUSTIFIED through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,. Therefore, there is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” When the Son (Jesus Christ) therefore sets you free, you are FREE INDEED!
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 06:02:36 +0000
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