Articles
Maintaining Innocence
There are a couple of different ways to interpret the title of today's article; first, I could be talking about someone who desires "to keep in existence or continuance" their innocence; on the other hand, I could be talking about someone who desires "to affirm, assert, or declare" their innocence to others, usually after someone has implied guilt. Actually, I want to talk a little about both aspects — and another aspect altogether — if space permits.
First of all, let us all admit that in spiritual terms, we would all like to be found innocent of wrongdoing. So strong is this desire that many people who have never darkened the door of a church or cracked open a Bible or who have no desire at all to serve God would argue — and do argue — for their innocence, or at least a lack of guilt. How many of you have heard, or even said, "I'm a good person"? In this sense, the one who says this is maintaining [affirming or declaring] their innocence. The problem is, it is not true.
You see, the Bible clearly teaches us, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), and, “there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin” (Eccl. 7:20). Since all have sinned, no man can claim innocence before God; we are all guilty, therefore, of some sort of transgression of God's law because “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). That means I am guilty and that means you are guilty, and neither of us can honestly maintain [affirm or declare] our innocence in spiritual matters. While I might be 'more guilty' than you, or vice versa, the fact is, we are still all guilty of transgressing God's laws in one way or another. We are all guilty.
Maintaining [keeping in existence or continuance] innocence should be a priority of ours, though. I don't mean for ourselves because, as has just been shown, that innocence is gone when we commit sin. I'm talking about maintaining the innocence of those who are still innocent of sin.
Consider that when Jesus was once asked about who the greatest in the Kingdom was, to illustrate, He “called a little child [an infant—SH] to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’” (Matt. 18:1-4). To Jesus, there was no greater picture of innocence than a little child! Despite the belief of many that we are born in sin [which is contrary to Bible teaching], Jesus clearly taught us that children are the most innocent of all! With that being the case, shouldn't we be striving to help them maintain that innocence?
I probably do not have to tell you that there are plenty of people in this world who want to steal that innocence from our children. We rightly call certain types of people 'predators' because they prey on innocent children who are as young as a few months old up to those who are in their teenage years; I believe the term is proper because their desire is to use and exploit these innocent ones for their selfish purposes, and not ever for anything good. We who are able should be defending and protecting their innocence, not contributing to their exploitation and loss of innocence simply because we "don't want to get involved."
Throughout the Old Law, God demanded His people "get involved" in the protection of the innocent and vulnerable. From the beginning, the Israelites were commanded, “Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked” (Exod. 23:7). God wanted them to have no part in unjust acts, especially to the most vulnerable in society, and so serious was this to God that He said plainly to them, “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless” (Exod. 22:22-24). Failure to maintain the innocence of the vulnerable ones would bring a heavy price!
As the Israelites were nearing captivity again, this time because of their persistent unfaithfulness, God commanded them, “Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow” (Isa. 1:17), and all because they did not “defend the fatherless, nor does the cause of the widow come before them” (Isa. 1:23). The innocent ones, it seems, were left to whatever oppression and injustice might have befallen them, and they expressed and demonstrated no concern for their plight. The Israelites went into captivity not just because of their idolatry, but also because of their mistreatment of and indifference toward their fellow man, especially to those who could not pay them back or defend themselves — the very ones for whom they should have had the greatest interest!
I wish I could tell you that such is not the case today among God's people, but I must confess guilt in not being concerned for the innocent as much as I should. Recently, I have read two books and working on another that reveals to me some great injustices that have been perpetrated on individuals and whole classes of people in past and even recent history in this country. Some of these injustices were completely new to me in that I did not read about them in history books, nor was I taught it. Oh, I had some hint about these injustices, but like a lot of people with similar upbringings, I didn't pay as close attention because, well, it wasn't me. I never said or even thought that, but I have to admit that it really was the reason for not getting more interested in learning of these injustices. Regarding the more recent cases I have read about lately, I was honestly flabbergasted at the underhanded and outright illegal and dishonest dealings of those within what we call our "justice system" that led to the arrest, trial, and conviction of truly innocent individuals, with some of them sent to death row by some completely false and manufactured evidence and testimony that the authorities knew was false and manufactured because they were the ones who made sure it was presented in the courtroom.
But what can I do about these cases, as an individual? More importantly, what can I do as a Christian? I am not a lawyer and I don't have unlimited resources to go chase down every claim of injustice to verify it and bring it to public light. No, I cannot do that, but I can listen with a different attitude and interest now; I can be one who does not contribute to the punishment of innocent individuals by tolerating knowingly false testimony or evidence; I can expose and reject those who are involved in such acts of injustice — who do it for political posturing; I can pray for hearts to listen to evidence without prejudice, and to make decisions without prejudice.
Of all people in the world, Christians should have a keen and vested interest in the innocent ones. After all, the most innocent One of all was unjustly tried and put to death, when it was we who were guilty. It is His example that moved us to admit guilt and seek His forgiveness. — Steven Harper
