Criminal Released and Innocent Man Executed!

It sounds like something that couldn't happen in this day and age, but it has happened and not just once. In October of 2004, Curt Haney was sentenced to die for a lifetime of crimes and evil that he didn't deny, yet he was released a FREE man that same month. You could shout "injustice" for that alone, but someone had to pay for the crimes - and did. Sevas Haissem took on all the accusations and died for those crimes, though he was innocent.

"Hey, don't get mad at me." Haney stated when asked to comment, "I admitted everything and Haissem knew all about it. I'm sorry for everything I've done. He told me that none of us should die and that's when he volunteered. Was he innocent? Yeah."

In another statement from Haney, he was quoted saying: "Haissem said that it was OK as long as I stopped my life of crime and told others what he did for me. Now I'm free and an innocent man took my place. I get to live and not just now, but for eternity."

OK, the above story is true, but not in the way that you may have thought. Curt Haney represents me and Sevas Haissem represents Jesus Christ (Messiah Saves backwards). I really was set free (declared innocent) for a lifetime of sin because Jesus took my place on the cross. I get to live for eternity now with the very person who took the punishment for me. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

I didn't have to do anything to earn my freedom. Notice the above verse where it says "the free gift of God..." It's very clear in the Bible: For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:9). It doesn't matter what your crimes were. Nowhere does it say "forgive us some sins" or "Purify us from some unrighteousness."

One could ask why. There are many reasons listed in the Bible. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Jesus said: "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2)

Sorry for the misleading headline, but if Orson Wells can do it, so can I. Unlike Mr. Wells, my statement and headline are 100% true, though names have been changed.