S1 E23
Remember, I’m a geek and enjoy science fiction, particularly “Star Trek: The Original Series.” Anyway, I woke up in the middle of the night last night thinking about the episode titled “A Taste of Armageddon.”
In this episode, the Enterprise is on a diplomatic mission to a planet that is reluctant to let them visit. They transport down and find out the planet has been at war with a neighboring planet for more than 500 years. This confuses the captain because none of their readings suggested anything close to an at-war situation.
They discovered the war was waged using computers to launch hypothetical attacks and count casualties. People identified as casualties had 24 hours to appear at a suicide chamber. In this way, both sides kept their infrastructure from being destroyed while at war.
Later in the episode, the governmental leader of the planet, Anan 7, is talking to Captain Kirk and calls him a barbarian. One of the more famous lines of the show:
“We're human beings with the blood of a million savage years on our hands, but we can stop it! We can admit that we're killers, but we're not going to kill today. That's all it takes... knowing that we won't kill today."
Contrast this with the common saying, “There but for the grace of God go I.” This saying seems to imply that God’s general grace holds people back from doing unspeakable things. Is that true? Do we hold ourselves back from doing savage things, or does the grace of God hold us back ?
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” - James 1:12-18 ESV
“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” - Romans 3:21-24
It seems pretty clear that the Captain Kirk line is pretty accurate. We are, left to our own desire, killers and barbarians. God gives us the ability to choose not to act on these desires but accepts that none of us can constantly choose not to sin. We are all sinners!
However, the common saying is also correct. I’m not privy to God’s sovereign plan, so I don’t know why I’ve resisted committing unspeakable acts. I praise God that, so far, he’s given me the grace not to do so.
The scary part is, although I have not committed those acts, I know I’ve had those thoughts. Therefore, I’ve committed the sin of murder in my mind. The fact that I’ve only sinned (regarding murder) in my mind doesn’t make it any better, at least as far as the ledger of the soul law. I know I’ve sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
That last sentence in the quote from the episode is why I don’t like the saying “There but for the grace of God go I.” While I hope to do my best and not be a barbarian or killer, I know I’ve been one in my mind and it isn’t that wide of a chasm between thinking and acting on a thought.
When I hear about tragedies, I pray for them and all those impacted. If my control over myself is so tenuous, what influence do I really have over anyone else?
I want to end with encouragement to study the Book of Romans. I spent a year going over it as a daily devotion and it was eye-opening. Elder Ben Jackson is teaching a Wednesday evening class focused on Romans that I would love to take but have a conflict. I encourage you to either avail yourself of the class or study the book in-depth for yourself.
