What do we make of the supposed conversion of Chris Watts, the one who murdered his wife and three kids?
This
is my sandbox blog. I created it so I can get my thoughts out fast.
Thus, there may be many mistakes. Please forgive me if my thoughts are
incomplete, my spelling may need help and my grammar may be poor.
First, we have to remember that Jesus can and does save. If Jesus can't save, then what's the worth of Christianity?
Second, this does not mean this guy is really repentant. He likely could
be lying, but he also could be telling the truth. We may never know for
sure on this side of the grave. However, just because someone
identifies with or claims Christ does not mean it is so. Many identify
as a Christian. However, being a Christian is more than just identifying
as one. The word "Christian" means something; it means one has turned
from sin to being a follower of Jesus and his ways. This means many who
identify as one but don't live it are not really Christian. We have to
remember Jesus' words to the ones who claim him but don't do what he
says, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness." An
excellent example is Hitler. Many historians deny Hitler was a
Christian, and for good reason. However, let’s say he identified as one.
Did Hitler fit the definition of a Christian? No. Sitting in a garage
and identifying as a car doesn’t make you a car. Nor does sitting in
Church and identifying as a Christian make you a Christian.
Third, just because one is forgiven by Christ does not mean there are no
consequences for sin. Just because we as individuals forgive a sinner
does not mean one does not have to bear the consequence of his or her
actions. A truly repentant person will take responsibility and make
restitution to his or her fellow human beings ... including taking the
punishment that is due him on earth. That is the role of govement on
earth. Consider what Paul said in Romans 13:3-4 "For rulers are not a
terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of
the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the
same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do
that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for
he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that
doeth evil." Sin, though it can be forgiven, still leaves scars.
Fourth, his actions were evil, pure evil. But, without excusing him, so
were King David's and even Paul's! Both were repentant and received
pardon from God, but there still were consequences. David lost a child
and had many other family issues. David Wood would be a modern example
of one who was evil but turned to Christ. As an atheist, he bashed in
the head of his dad! He paid for his crime, and eventually became a
Christ follower. We also must not forget that there are many abortionist
who are murdering thousands and thousands of lives unrepentant and
never receiving earthly retribution. What a double standard our society
holds!
Fifth, we each have to look at ourselves, each have done evil. No, maybe
not to the extent of this guy or Hitler or Stalin or to the level of an
abortionists, but we still have done evil and need saving too. We have
to remember we have been saved from our sins. Jesus says this in Matthew
6:14-15 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Sixth, we have to remember that Christianity is full of paradoxes.
Society thinks Christians are too soft and other times they think
Christians are to hard. No wonder, on one end Christians are full of
mercy, but on the other full of justice. On one end Christians are full
of forgiveness, but on the other they are full of judgment. Christianity
promotes both faith and reason, seemly opposites. These are not flaming
opposites, rather they run in parallel. These types of paradoxes come
from the nature of Christianity, based upon Jesus himself. Jesus was
both fully man and fully God, seemly opposites. John says Jesus was full
of grace and truth, seemly opposites. Jesus is one with the Father in
nature, but separate in person, seemingly opposite but not. This is also
why the word tolerance is not strong enough in Christian theology.
Christianity rather teaches love. Love is a word in tension. It
describes one dying for another while at the same time it is quick to
point out evil, sin and badness.
Check out a good article on the Chris Watts case below. https://www.faithwire.com/2019/03/06/what-murderer-chris-watts-alleged-religious-experience-can-teach-us-about-last-minute-conversions/
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