Justified by Faith
Twenty-two years ago, the day after Valentine’s Day, Jeffrey Dahmer was sentenced to 15 terms of life imprisonment. He was convicted of rape, murder, and dismemberment of 16 men and boys in Wisconsin. He committed these atrocities from 1978 to 1991. He was also later sentenced to another life-term for a murder in Ohio. Two years after his incarceration, he was beaten to death by a fellow inmate.
You might think that someone who could commit such heinous crimes against humanity must have some kind of mental disorder but he was found legally sane to stand trial.
While in jail in 1991, Dahmer requested a Bible. A Christian in Virginia also sent him a Bible correspondence course. When he expressed a desire to be baptized, this Christian put him into contact with Roy Ratcliff in Wisconsin who continued studying with Dahmer. Dahmer was baptized into Christ in May, 1994.
What do you make of that?
One woman, a Marilyn Bardsley, wrote a review of a book Roy Ratcliff wrote about the events, She said that Dahmer learned that with baptism, “he can undo all of that and still get to heaven. What a deal!” (www.crimelibrary.com) That sounds condescending to me.
What do you make of it?
Is it a deal? I don’t suppose that Ms. Bardsley has ever committed murder. But I wonder if she has ever lied – even a little white lie – or been guilty of wrath, slander, lack of self-control, or maybe even a little bit of pride and arrogance…?
Dahmer reminds me of the apostle Paul, who, in 1 Timothy 1:13, says he was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent aggressor. But, in verse 14, he says the grace of the Lord was more than abundant with the faith and love found in Christ Jesus. Can baptism undo all of that and Paul still get to heaven? First of all, baptism does not “undo” anything. It will not bring someone back from the dead. It will not soothe the breaking heart of a family member. It will not pay the bills to put food into the mouths of orphaned kids.
Also, this condition might occur due to taking medications that are likely to affect the viagra for cheap potency. This immediate response through this drug can be attained at much lower prices while it offers cheap sildenafil excellent and most satisfactory results. It is a natural cycle that returns after child viagra low price birth. Thus, the urge and desire cialis on line purchase to have love-making is essential with this medication to exhibit its effect.
Secondly, baptism per se does not forgive all of that. But Jesus Christ does. He’s the deal!
In Galatians 3:23-29, Paul talks about being justified by faith. First, let’s define the word “justified.” It has particular significance for Jeffrey Dahmer. The word “justified” comes from the legal system, the law courts. It is an act of administering the law. When God justified, He acknowledges there is sin involved – how can He not (Rom. 3:23)? But then, He pronounces the guilty acquitted, excluding him from all possibility of condemnation.
Now, how does Dahmer or Paul or you and me stand before God with any hope of acquittal? Take a look at Galatians 3:23-29.
There was no justification before faith came. Verse 23 says we were “shut up.” Jews were in custody under the law because of their sin (verse 22). Gentiles were “shut up” because of the law, being alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, without the promises and privileges of Israel. That is, until “faith” came. “Faith” here is used as a metonymy, in place of Christ. The effect is put for the cause.
The law brought us to “faith” or to “Christ” (vs 24-25). The law brought us to Christ as a “tutor” or “custodian” in the first century would walk his master’s child to school and walk him home. He would guide the child morally during the day and may even help a little with homework. But, once the child became an adult, he had no need of the tutor. Once a Jew came to faith in Christ, he no longer needs the law.
Justification comes through faith in Christ (verse 26). We are all sons of God through faith in Christ. Compare this statement with 1 Corinthians 12:13 and Romans 6:3. Faith is the means of our justification. The role of Christ Himself is mentioned by Paul back in verses 10-14. He was condemned for our sakes. He was punished for our sins – mine, Paul’s, yours, and Jeffrey Dahmer’s. The ground of our justification is in our union with Christ, effected at baptism (ver 27).
This justification, Paul concludes, is for all people (verse 28-29). There is no distinction. We are all, through Christ, Abraham’s seed.
Now, Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 1:16, that Jesus saved him as an example for the rest of us. Jeffrey Dahmer is also an example. Justification by faith is available to everyone, through Jesus Christ.
–Paul Holland
