Salient. The Newspaper of Victoria University College. Vol. 19, No. 8. July 1, 1955

Sin Separates

Sin Separates

If He were bearing men's sins, however, then the story held together. The world's sin had shut out the Father's face as a storm-cloud will the midday sun. The fact that sin separates now had its supreme illustration.

And as for the justice of the innocent suffering for the guilty—it was beside the point. Could you say to Love Incarnate suffering for the one loved: "This is not Just?" For it was not God the Judge punishing Jesus the Saviour for mo the sinner. It was " God in Christ reconciling the world to Himself." (2 Cor. 5:10).

Bill saw it. The logic of the situation compelled him to affirm with St. Paul: "He loved me, He gave Himself for me." Here was the answer to his sin; here the way to forgiveness and cleansing.

"Well, Padre. I now believe in Christianity. How do I become a Christian?" He was astute enough to see that an intellectual grasp of Christian truth was not enough. "The Devils believe—and tremble." wrote St. James. Bill believed, and was very ill at ease.

"You must give yourself to the Christ you now believe in," I replied; "every cell of your body, every fibre of your being—past, present, future; good, bad, indifferent: everything."

There was silence between us for a minute.