- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 12,397
Dear @Rad
You say a Christian should be against the death penalty.
Justify that according to scripture, and that would be the entirety of scripture. Remember there is a difference between murder and putting someone to death for breaking the laws of a land according to the Bible. They are not the same.
The Old Testament was clear on it, as is the New Testament on adhering to the laws of the government one lives in. If the nation allows for it, then one needs to adhere to it, since all authority is God given, and it would not be in power if not for Him. For the judgment they do is in place of God, with His authority.
The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God's servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. Romans 13:4 You are also welcome to read 1-5 as well.
Now you can in conscious not want to participate in such a process, which is your right to do so, but do not think to place your personal belief on all of Christendom. There are warriors both past and present who were and are believers. Are they murderers for taking the life of another in battle? If someone attacks your home, and you protect your family and in so doing the invader dies? Is this also wrong? By adhering to the death penalty, one is not placing value of one life over another, instead they are ensuring impartiality by doing so.
I pray you and any believer are never placed in that quandary but know it is not your place or belief that dictates what is acceptable when it comes to determining the actions of another. The word of God does not permit murder, but it calls for accountability for those whose sins are deemed to warrant it. Think of it this way. Would you rather have one pay the price here, or later for their actions that warranted them being put to death? I would think long and hard on that one question alone.
I do not envy anyone for having to make that decision on the death penalty and I pray one never has to deal with the consequences of such a decision, regardless of the one chosen.
With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC/Moderator
Nick
\o/
<><
You say a Christian should be against the death penalty.
Justify that according to scripture, and that would be the entirety of scripture. Remember there is a difference between murder and putting someone to death for breaking the laws of a land according to the Bible. They are not the same.
The Old Testament was clear on it, as is the New Testament on adhering to the laws of the government one lives in. If the nation allows for it, then one needs to adhere to it, since all authority is God given, and it would not be in power if not for Him. For the judgment they do is in place of God, with His authority.
The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God's servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. Romans 13:4 You are also welcome to read 1-5 as well.
Now you can in conscious not want to participate in such a process, which is your right to do so, but do not think to place your personal belief on all of Christendom. There are warriors both past and present who were and are believers. Are they murderers for taking the life of another in battle? If someone attacks your home, and you protect your family and in so doing the invader dies? Is this also wrong? By adhering to the death penalty, one is not placing value of one life over another, instead they are ensuring impartiality by doing so.
I pray you and any believer are never placed in that quandary but know it is not your place or belief that dictates what is acceptable when it comes to determining the actions of another. The word of God does not permit murder, but it calls for accountability for those whose sins are deemed to warrant it. Think of it this way. Would you rather have one pay the price here, or later for their actions that warranted them being put to death? I would think long and hard on that one question alone.
I do not envy anyone for having to make that decision on the death penalty and I pray one never has to deal with the consequences of such a decision, regardless of the one chosen.
With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC/Moderator
Nick
\o/
<><