A Brand New Reality

For reality show contestant Ryan Jenkins, what is ‘real’ and what is not has taken on a whole new dimension – literally.

Police had been hunting Ryan for days as he evaded authorities across California and into Canada. He was sought in the death of his ex-wife model in what can only be described as a horrifically brutal slaying. The chase ended in a motel room in a mountainous area of British Columbia when the Royal Canadian Police found the fugitive’s body in the room – a likely case of suicide by hanging.

Although Ryan Jenkins act was particularly heinous, the reality is that all sin, even those not humanly comparable to be mentioned in the same breath, still causes separation from God. Roman 3:23 clearly teaches, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Earlier in the same chapter, and beginning in verse 10, the issue is presented even more graphically. “As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.”

A crime of this caliber would certainly seem to be in a different category of judgement, and ultimately may be. But Romans chapter one reminds those who feel their sins to be minor in comparison, to remain repentant and humble. Verse 18 reads, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” All means all!

Some may question God’s justice or His right to forgive the more vile sins. And while He cannot accept any who reject His free offer of redemption, those who come to him in faith, need not wonder if their actions have crossed the line and somehow disqualified them from salvation.

1 Corinthian 6:9-11 covers both issues well. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you . But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” Simply put, His grace can cleanse even the most grievous sin.

Ryan Jenkins has entered eternity. He is forever now in the presence of a loving Savior or in an intensely real place of eternal suffering. (2. Corinthians 5:8, Luke 12:5) And in reality, for this man as well as for all mankind, all that matters is the decision he made - or didn't make - for Christ.

Bill Breckenridge