Just as a good, fair judge in court must hold a criminal morally accountable for his crimes, our crimes must be punished by God who is judge of all (James 4:12). A criminal can’t be released from murder charges because he is sorry and will try his best not to murder again. Any judge who wants to keep his job will sentence the murderer to prison, even if he regrets his criminal actions. Likewise, a moral judge will not acquit the murderer on the grounds of his own good deeds. Volunteering at the homeless shelter several years ago does not make the murderer innocent of his crime.
