Nothing is Hidden
June 30, 2003
It's been going on for years and nobody seemed
able to do anything about it. A staggering 57 million computer
users are involved in one of the most pervasive illegal
activities in world history. Until this week it seemed like
nobody could, or would, catch them. Well, if you, or someone you
know, is a solo song swapper accustomed to swapping music
online, watch out! And for those "minors" who think their age
will protect them, think again. Four college students were sued
in April, and settled for $12,000 to $17,000 each. But potential
fines are a whopping $150,000 a song, which would make a person
who shares as few as 10 songs online accountable for $1.5
million.
Some people wonder how such high-speed Internet
thieves can be caught. Seems nearly every computer that's
connected to the Internet has specific identifying information
so it can send and receive data. That identifying information
leaves a fingerprint, so to speak, that enables the thief to be
nabbed. While most file sharers will slip through the net, some
will be prosecuted . . . probably enough to prompt the rest to
curtail their illegal activity.
As I read about that Internet crackdown I couldn't
help but think about Numbers 32:23 where it says, "Behold, you
have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you
out." Unlike those who illegally share Internet files, none of
our sins will slip past God. Every sinful act has a consequence
and it will find us. So if we think some secret sin gets past
God, we're kidding ourselves. Or, if we think we can escape the
sure hand of God in discipline, we're mistaken.
The Bible offers us a better course of action.
John said, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous
to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Instead of covering our sins and
pretending God can't see them, we should fess up. Maybe you
wonder how often this should be done. Good question. Every time
you sin in thought, word, or deed, admit it to God. Say
something like, "Father, I admit I just (whatever you did).
Thank you for forgiving and cleansing me. Give me the grace,
through your Spirit, to please you in the future."
We all sin, and will continue to do for as long as
we live. But fortunately, we can do something about it. God is
waiting each moment of the day for us to accept his forgiveness
and cleansing. In fact, they're never more than a confession
away.
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