Capital Punishment

As a juror, how should a Christian consider capital punishment?

The basic idea behind capital punishment is that it is the government that is imposing the punishment on individuals in society that have failed to respect the laws of our society. However, the term ” capital punishment ” has come to refer to a sentence and ultimate execution of death to the guilty individual. Does a Christian have the authority to sentence someone to death?

Can a Christian Vote for Capital Punishment?

Can a Christian Vote for Capital Punishment?

Before we further answer this question, let’s look at it from a different perspective. Does the government have the authority from God to sentence someone to death? The answer to that question is a most definite, “Yes.” In Romans 13:1-4 we read, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” The phrase “he beareth not the sword in vain” implies that God has authorized the government to use the sword as a means of punishment to those that do wrong. A sword is not an instrument of punishment with which you want to come into contact. Both edges are usually sharp and it is designed to seriously incapacitate and or kill one’s enemy. The implication is that if God allows the government to use the sword for the purpose of incapacitation or death, then the government has the right to punish evil doers by means of death. Peter also makes some significant statements along this line in 1 Peter 2:13, 14. We read, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.” This passage says that individual rulers in the government are sent by God for the punishment of evil doers. So not only does the government as a whole have a right to punish evil doers, but individuals within the government have the right to punish evil doers. Is this punishment merely up to the sentence of death or does it include the sentence of death?

There are some additional principles under the Old Covenant that may help us understand this concept a little better. First of all we read in Exodus 21:23-25 “And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” The principle that God is trying to get across in this passage is that the punishment should fit the crime. In other words, you wouldn’t put a person to death for purposely stepping on someone’s toes. At the same time you wouldn’t just slap someone on the wrist for murdering their fellow man. The punishment for the crime committed must be equivalent, at least in physical response, to the crime itself. In the times of the New Testament, the Jewish people had basically turned this passage of scripture into a justification for revenge. This is not what was originally intended by the thoughts that were presented in the Mosaic Law. Jesus, however, in refutation of the Rabinnical traditions, quotes their use of it as a justification for revenge and then refutes the idea that the man of God is to harbor thoughts of revenge in his heart. We read in Matthew 5:38,39 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Don’t lash out in revenge against someone who would do you wrong. This is the attitude that the Christian should have as well. It is not our place to go seeking revenge against everyone who has done us wrong or wrought evil against us in our life. Paul also writes in Romans 12:19 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

Now, we can answer the question as stated above. First, the Christian when serving on a Jury is acting as an officer for the government and on the government’s behalf. The Bible clearly teaches that such an officer can and must exercise punishment upon those who do wrong. Second, when punishment is exercised it should fit the crime that was committed. It should not merely be a slap on the wrist. So if the crime involved death, then the punishment should involve death as well. Third, as an individual, the Christian, though acting as an officer of the government, has no right to harbor thoughts of revenge in his or her heart. Based upon these three things, therefore, the Christian is authorized by God to sentence a person to death when acting as part of the function of the government (i.e. in a jury) provided that the Christian does not harbor any thoughts of revenge in their heart for the person sentenced. In other words, it is not the Christian’s individual desperate desire for this person to be put to death, but because this person has committed a crime, then justice demands that he/she answer for this crime in a just way. This is how a Christian, as a juror, should consider capital punishment. As always, if there resides in the heart of the individual unwillingness due to conscience sake not to participate in the sentencing of an individual to death, then the Christian should abstain (Romans 14:23). However, let the Christian voice this thought prior to the jury selection process so that a just and fair result may prevail.

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Unity Together or Apart

Unity Together or Apart

Here are a couple of sayings with which you may be familiar:

  1. “If you want something done, do it yourself.”
  2. “Never ask someone to do something you aren’t first willing to do yourself.”

    Unity can be broken by many actions.

    Unity can be broken by many actions.

As humans, it seems we always have an opinion about how others can improve their lives.  The other person could go to college, work harder, study more, aim higher, make better financial decisions, etc.  Yet, how often is it that criticism given by someone who is not willing to engage in the same activities?  Note:  This is not the same as criticism from someone telling you not to engage in something destructive, though they have never done so themselves.  We are talking about someone giving you advice which they themselves are not willing to follow.

Folks in the Church are often guilty of these same actions.  They instruct others to sing, yet, they do not sing.  They instruct others to study, yet, they do not study.  Advice is given, yet the advisor ignores their own advice.  There are a few churches that I know of who speak of unity among the brethren.  They have actively discouraged the multiple congregations in their town and area for not being in one location under one body of elders.  The congregations are small and close to dying, most without elders, and they all agree doctrinally.  Yet, they will not unite together under one roof.  Gossip has started.  Frustration has mounted.  Hurt feelings have resulted.  What are the limitations?  The most significant factor is the fact that none want to sell their (paid off) buildings.

Jesus in speaking in Luk 18:22-23 stated:

… One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. But when he heard these things, he became exceeding sorrowful; for he was very rich.

Jesus speaks in those verses to the desire of man to hold on to his physical possessions, rather than moving forward in serving Christ.  The congregations we are examining here are holding to their physical possessions.  None is willing to take the first vulnerable step and commit to putting a for sale sign on their lots.  None are willing to strive for unity in the name of Christ, due to their inflexible human desires.  Sadly, much pain is felt from lack of unity.  Men qualified as deacons and elders cannot be appointed.  Brothers and sisters are building “made up” animosity with one another.  Even the issue of race is being mentioned.  All of this from good kind people, who have glanced briefly away from Christ.

Resolution, could be biblically met in two distinct ways.

1) Talk about Unity and be willing to follow through on the words spoken.

2 Cor 1:18 But as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay.

2) Do not speak of the topic of geographic unity anymore and instead work together in unity in separate locations serving God together.

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

In all that we instruct, we must first be willing to do the very same words we say.  If not, we create pain, damage, and disharmony among others.  This is true both in the church and in the world.  In doing so, we will lead by a solid Christian example and others will be willing to follow the wise words which we speak.

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Are Good Morals Enough?

Are Good Morals Enough?

Statement: Some have in mind that all there is to being a Christian is simply being a good moral person. Many believe that as long as you are honest, pay your debts, take care of your family, be a good citizen, and maybe give to a charity once in a while, that this is all God requires. There is something praise worthy to be said about people that are morally good and upright; for many have left even that. However, though moral goodness is necessary to be pleasing to God, being a Christian requires more than moral goodness.

The fact that moral goodness does not save can be seen in the New Testament example of Cornelius. The Scriptures tell us that Cornelius was “a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always” (Acts 10:2). Here was a good moral man by anyone’s standard. But Cornelius was not saved as a result of his moral goodness; for he was told to send for Peter at Joppa that he might come and tell him words by which he and his household might be saved (Acts 11:13-14). It was only when Cornelius heard and obeyed the gospel of Christ, being baptized, that he was saved (Acts 10:48).

There are many good moral people who don’t have any spirituality about them. There are a lot of folks who are good, honest people, who have never submitted to God’s will and are not interested in worshipping and serving Him. It is no wonder that Jesus declared, “Not every one who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).

If good morals were all that God required for salvation, then Jesus would not have had to die. But good morals do not wipe away one’s sin, the blood of Jesus does that, and one must come to it through repentance and baptism (Rom. 6:3-5, Gal. 3:26-27). Thus, good morals are not enough, we must submit to God and receive pardon for sin that only He can give.

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God of Abraham

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob Is Our God

Moses stood before the burning bush with his feet unshod and God said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” (Ex. 3:6). He was sending Moses to accomplish His eternal plan for Israel, and Moses needed to be reminded of the nature of God. It was imperative that Moses remember all that God had done with the fathers. The eternal, unchanging God is clearly revealed in those stories. Consider the following about the God of our fathers.

the god of abrahama isaac jacob is ours

The God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob is ours.

The God of Abraham is One who keeps His promises. God wanted Moses to understand that the One speaking to him from the burning bush was the One who made such amazing promises to Abraham. God told childless Abram that he would be the father of a great nation and that nation would be given a great land. Later the great Savior would come through him (Gen. 17:4; 22:17-18).

The God that we serve speaks of things which do not exist as though they are (Rom. 4:17), and in the nation of Israel we see positive proof than He keeps His promises. “Not a word   failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass” (Josh. 21:45). The God of Abraham is our God and He keeps His promises!

The God of Isaac is the One who provides. The God who talked to Moses wanted him to know that He was also the God of Isaac. Centuries before the burning bush there was that son being sacrificed by his father. Abraham had told Isaac that God would provide the sacrifice and Isaac learned that day that Jehovah is the One who provides. Providence demands that one see situations before they happen and then acts to insure that all which needs to happen becomes reality. God had sent Joseph into Egypt centuries before Moses was born (Gen. 50:20), and God was about to provide deliverance for Israel. The God of Isaac is the God who provides for Israel and for us!

The God of Jacob is the One who changes people. God changed Jacob from the one who “stole” the birthright from Esau and deceived his blind father to receive Esau’s blessing, and then molded Jacob into a humble, righteous man. This same One was changing Moses and by life’s adversity making him a great leader. This is the One who spoke from the bush. Forty years before that day Moses thought he was ready to deliver Israel from Egypt, but he was not (Acts 7:23-25). The God of Jacob is the God who changed Moses and the One who changes us.

He is the One who keeps His promises, who provides and who changes people. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is our God! Aren’t you glad!

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The Eyes

Anatomy of a Christian: The Eyes

There are at least four kinds of “eyes” referred to in the Bible: those referring to literal/physical sight (Acts 9:17-18), desire (2 Pet. 2:14), self-perception (Prov. 12:15), and understanding (Gen. 3:7).  It’s important to consider each of these categories if we are to be serious about a proper relationship with God.

be careful little eyes what you see

Be Careful Little Eyes What You See.

Do you want to know what the will of God is for you? Then look in the right place.  David says, “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Ps. 19:8).  The problem is, not all will do this.  In fact some are so set in their ways that they see what they want to see and turn a blind eye to the truth (cf. Rev. 3:17).  Some are good at observing other people’s faults but will not see their own (Matt. 7:3-5).  Some even see themselves as better and wiser than others (Prov. 3:7).  A man can be “righteous in his own eyes” (Job 32:1).  Yet the man who has understanding has his eyes opened to the truth (Ps. 119:18) and it guides him (Jas. 1:25). This man knows that he must be careful as to what he allows his eyes to see (Matt. 5:27-29; Job 31:1; Ps. 119:37).

This is very important, friends, for Jesus Himself said, “The lamp of the body is the eye.  If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matt. 6:22-23).  See what I mean?

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