Should punishment always be equal for the same offense? Maybe we should define what we mean by the “same offense”? Sometimes in the world’s justice system, punishment seems to be arbitrary. I mean, what is going on in the EU and Great Britain is Orwellian.
I have done wrong in my life (more than I care to admit) and I have often paid the price. I have had tickets, and done the Defensive Driving Courses (or paid the fine.)
There was one time when I worked as an Assistant Manager for a major Jeweler, that the store was hundreds of thousands of dollars short in inventory. Everyone took a polygraph. Yep, the sensors on your fingers, the wrap around the chest, and the intimidating man asking yes or no questions. They called us in one buy one. Tensions were high. And when it was my turn, I failed it. So they gave it to me again. I failed it again. (I’m innocent, it was the one armed man …)
I failed one question … “Have you ever conspired to steal merchandise from the store?” I said no. I meant no. But that was a lie.
A few days prior, yes just a couple of days prior, I had told the regional manager that there was a flaw in the security system. I showed him how someone could crawl from the ceiling, entering from the service hallway adjacent to the store room wall, and get into the store room … take anything and everything at their own pace … even carefully avoid the motion sensors and get to the closet holding the safe.
When they asked me what was I thinking when that question was asked … and I told them my plot to overthrow the world, starting with that store. Nah. I told them the weakness in the security system.
Within 24 hours, there were more motion sensors and magnetic door alarms. (Note: the shortage was double invoicing from the home office!)
I am asking all this for I came an across an interesting viewpoint to messing up and being punished. We often think our mess-ups are small time, misdemeanors, not really with anything but a slap on the wrist.
But considering this … the penalty for doing wrong, for sin, is not determined by the sin but is determined by the magnitude of the one who is sinned against.
Maybe this example will help clarify. If someone slaps you in the face, as atrocious as that sounds, it probably doesn’t warrant much repercussions. But slap a police officer – don’t mess with the boys in blue. You may beat the crime, but you ain’t going to beat the ride, so they say. Even worse, if you slapped the President – The USSS will jump you and you will disappear for a while.
I had a friend once who wanted to date the daughter of the President (back under Nixon.) He put on his Marine dress uniform, bought flowers and candy, and even got into the White House before being tackled.
He disappeared for a while. He also wanted to date my sister, but if he did to my sister what he did to the Nixons, no one would really care.
The penalty for doing wrong, for sin, is not determined by the sin but is determined by the magnitude of the one who is sinned against.
Maybe this is why David said in Psalm 51, against You oh Lord have I sinned. And he was scared.
There is a punishment for sin … the wages is death. And ultimately, no matter how small … you sin against God.
But, there is grace. There is forgiveness. There is love. From the same God we offended … we find love.
And that’s something worth getting excited about.
Muddy Shoes by Todd 
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