Trace Evidence
The last several years have seen a proliferation of
TV shows whose central theme is Crime Scene Investigation (CSI). The
first CSI location was Las Vegas. We now have CSI: New York, CSI:
Miami, and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). I suspect
that one reason for their popularity is the intriguing pursuit of
trace evidence left at crime scenes that often escapes detection by
the human eye. Upon discovery, these often microscopic traces tell
an incriminating story that can lead to an indictment and a
conviction.
In a very real sense, the human heart is a crime
scene that warrants investigation! The prophet Jeremiah tells us
that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9), and then follows with “I
the LORD search the heart, I try the reins” (17:10). So, to
analogize that the heart of man is a spiritual venue with trace
evidence of crimes against the Almighty—Who is the only One capable
of finding and exposing the criminal evidence—requires no stretching
of the truth!
In speaking with Nicodemas, Jesus divided the world
into two classes of men—the doers of truth and the doers of evil
(John 3:18-21). He drew an instructive distinction between them
regarding how they respond to the light of truth. The doer of truth
comes to the light on a regular basis. The application of God’s
template for holiness enables him to know where he stands with God.
It affirms his compliance to truth and identifies trace evidence of
non-compliance (i.e., spiritual crimes). Contrariwise, the doer of
evil loves the darkness and therefore hates the light. He avoids the
light at any cost for this reason: “lest his deeds should be
reproved” (3:20).
The Greek word for reproved is elegcho,
which signifies (1) a conviction of wrongdoing accompanied by verbal
rebuke and a sense of shame, and (2) a finding of fault and calling
to account with a view to correction. Deeds of the evil doer are
spiritual crimes for which he disallows divine scrutiny. For light
may lead to reproval, reproval to shame, shame to corrective action,
and correction action to holiness of life. The doer of evil is
averse to this kind of outcome! Reproof from the Word of God is what
unregenerate men seek to avoid at all costs.
Now, where the doer of evil is concerned, our crime
scene analogy breaks down slightly. For when the real-life criminal
commits his unlawful deed(s), he typically flees the scene in hopes
that he left nothing incriminating behind. But the doer of evil
carries the crime scene wherever he goes. He is the crime scene! And
at the door of his heart is a barricade of unbelief that bars the
light of truth from invading the premises.
The doer of truth, on the other hand, knows full well
the deceitful nature of his heart. The thought of his heart being a
crime scene is troubling to him. He therefore seeks to remove any
and all impediments to the infiltration of light. He opens his heart
on a regular basis for routine surveillance. If he suspects a
spiritual crime has been committed, he calls in the proper
authorities (Word and Spirit) to search the premises for trace
evidence. If it is discovered, he yields himself to the Master
Investigator for prompt and thorough clean up.
Although we seldom think of our hearts as spiritual
crime scenes, there is no question that they are exactly that. Every
day in the life of a believer should include a routine crime scene
investigation via the intrusion of light. But the unbeliever will
have none of this. This is the fundamental difference between the
two classes regarding the light—an affinity by the one and an
aversion by the other. Which of these two is representative of your
disposition toward the light?
In the classic Christian hymn At the Cross,
Isaac Watts penned a set of lyrics that have stood the test of time
and endeared themselves to the hearts of millions who have sung
them. The second verse reads as follows:
“Was
it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity, grace unknown,
And love beyond degree!
Thanks be unto God for providing in the precious
blood of the Lord Jesus the supernatural cure for our spiritual
crimes! A cause for greater rejoicing is the assurance that the
trace evidence of our spiritual crimes, having been found and
removed by our Lord, will never make its way to an evidence locker
as a basis for future prosecution!
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