Crime vs. Sin

Crime versus sin. What makes them different? How are they similar? This is a theme encountered in Crime and Punishment as well as Huckleberry Finn and Mrs. Warren's Profession. It is in many ways a universal theme. By my definition, crime is breaking the laws of the land and sin is breaking the laws of God. Crime is many times sin and sin is often times crime. However, they are not always the same.

Jesus taught us to respect those in authority and to give to "Caesar what is Caesar's and the Lord what is the Lord's." It is important to realize that although some action may not be a crime, it may a sin. Not everything permissible by the nation is right in God's eyes. There may be situations where God's law and man's laws conflict. While unlikely in this country, there may come a day where we must commit a crime to avoid committing a sin.