The certainty of getting caught
11 August 2011
On Question Time tonight it seemed to be agreed that what will stop rioting and looting is the certainty that looters will get caught.
It was also said that looters went on to the streets of London with the thought that they will get away with it. This sentiment is very old, and occurs in the Bible.
Our website has pointed out for some time that there are not enough police, lawyers, courts and prisons to deal with the criminality in our country. Putting 16,000 police temporarily on the streets of London arrested looting, but it did not change any hearts. People, not just looters and rioters, will still behave wickedly in different areas of their lives because they do not expect to be caught and they think that they will get off with it.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism, commenting on the third of the Ten Commandments, says: “however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape His righteous judgment.” If we want to stop lawlessness and crime in this country, we need to teach people that they will be caught and that they will not get away with it. Not only does God have His own way of bringing judgment upon individuals, families, cities and nations through His providence, but He has appointed a Day of Judgment and we will all appear there. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the due reward for what he has done in his body, whether it is good or bad” 2Corinthians 5:10.
Knowing this, Christians encourage people before this time arrives to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ Who has personally taken away the penalty of sin for all those who believe in Him 2Corinthians 5:11,20-21. Judgment has been executed, justice has been satisfied, hearts have been changed, lives have been saved and re-dedicated to useful service. This is what Britain needs.
