Blog: Max Dawson
March 30, 2017
“What is the statute of limitations on a stolen library book?”
That’s the question that was asked yesterday morning by host Rachel Martin on National Public Radio. The morning show, Around The Nation, presented the story of a man in Great Falls, Montana who returned a library book after 35 years.
The man, who was unnamed in the story, borrowed a book from the local library back in 1982. The book’s title was Bid Time Return, authored by Richard Matheson. The man said he had read the sci-fi love story at least 25 times.
What began as borrowing a book 35 years ago became stealing when he decided not to return the book. Rachel Martin speculated that the guilt may have been too much for him after all these years. He return the book in pristine condition–after having it restored. He brought the book back with a $200 donation and an apology.
I am sure the library was happy to have all three–the book, the $200, and the apology.
The man was wrong in stealing the book. But he was right in making restitution. He confessed what he had done. He acknowledged his wrong, and tried to make it right.
He did not casually dismiss his misdeed of so many years ago. There is no statute of limitations on a stolen library book.
THE FINAL WORD
Neither is there a statute of limitations on crimes committed against God.
You have to wonder how many people think that sins committed years ago can just be forgotten. They might say, “After all, that was a long time ago.”
Does time cancel sin? It does not. The only thing that cancels sin is the blood of Jesus. Listen to these words taken from the apostle in .
“…the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
All sins–forgiven by the blood of Christ–are forever blotted out from our record.
Yet, men may think that sins committed long ago are dismissed because the statute of limitations has passed and those sins will not be brought into judgment. Men may think God has forgotten those sins or that time has hidden them from His eyes. They would be wrong about that. Hear the words of Solomon in .
“God will bring every act into judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”
God chooses not to remember sins that have been forgiven by Jesus (). All other sins will be brought to judgment.
There is no statute of limitations on unforgiven sin.
Blessings to you, my forgiven friends,
–Max