Many Americans seem confused about the death penalty. Some Christians question the compassion of ending a life for any offense, even the most heinous, while many atheists compound the confusion with their “logic.” It is argued that it is insensitive to end the life of another human being for any reason.
While we contemplate the massive love, and compassion of our redeemer, (as he took on the death penalty for our offenses,) it may seem callous to exact such a final penalty on another human.
Many fail to notice the conflict between those who would advocate for abolishing the death penalty, while simultaneously advocating for abortion.
Some ask that if those who oppose abortion are so concerned about life, why wouldn’t they be likewise concerned about the lives of those on death row?
This logic fails to recognize the fact that those in the womb have not yet committed offenses of any kind. They are the second most innocent humans ever. Only Jesus is more innocent, having never committed a single sin, in spite of the same temptations as the rest of every human outside the womb.
That being said, regardless of how we might compare the righteousness of the unborn to those on death row, there is still the matter of whose idea it was to put certain criminals to death. Can you guess who that might be? There is a record of who is the author of the death penalty.
Was it a king? Was it a religious leader? Who might it have been?
It was God, the creator, the one who not only created the earth, the sun, the moon, and stars but every living creature. You might remember that when Jesus offered payment for our sins, he paid that debt with his life. He was not only executed, but it was by the most horrific means imaginable.
This was not the first time death was meted out as payment for offenses.
For those who have trouble understanding why people that believe in the death penalty for egregious, and heinous crimes, also believe in protecting the unborn, it must be stated that the “crime” of inconvenient, or even violent conception, is never mentioned in scripture as a reason for the death penalty.
The Bible contains many instances of God’s judgment calling for capital punishment. Here is a small sample;
“He that smites a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.” Exodus 21:12
“And he that curses his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.” Exodus 21:17
“Whosoever lie with a beast shall surely be put to death.” Exodus 22:19
“The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meet him, he shall slay him.” Numbers 35:19
“The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.” Deuteronomy 24:16
“But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.” 2 Kings 14:6
If we believe, and trust the Word of God, this should be clarification enough, if we do not, we have bigger problems.
Salvation is paramount to our very existence. There is no more important matter, for it is eternal. The end of our lives on Earth, and its circumstances, are of far less importance. God’s judgment is permanent. This is why the death penalty was continued within the United States of America from its inception. Efforts to remove it are from some other source. It is up to each American to determine how we respond to the judgment of God.
As the sovereign of our nation, our citizenry will determine whether we align with the Bible, or not, and our nation will either suffer or prosper as a result. It will receive God’s blessing or a curse.
For those that are reluctant to accept the Bible’s relevance, Romans 10:13-17 speaks loudly.
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
and how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
If we believe in the authority, and supremacy of scripture, we should accept the righteousness of the death penalty, in appropriate circumstances.
In the case of states where the majority doesn’t accept it, that is the beauty of federalism. We can all live in states where our beliefs are reflected in law. and God will determine how well they prosper
God bless you, Dave