Applauding Death?

In the Scriptures there are two kinds of justice. One is the justice of God against sin. The other is the justice that God affords the downtrodden and the oppressed. A few weeks ago the news ran a clip from one of the Republican debates. One of the moderators prefaced his question by acknowledging that the state of Texas had executed more people than any other state. That statement was met with rousing applause. The question was asked if Texas Governor Rick Perry ever lost sleep thinking that an innocent person may have been executed. The Governor said he never lost any sleep over that. He added,

“You will face the ultimate justice in the state of Texas, and that is, you will be executed.”

He was then asked how he felt about people applauding the large number of Texas executions. Governor Perry said,

“I think Americans understand justice.”

Now before I provide a New Testament commentary on that type of attitude, let me make clear something that we as evangelical believers seem to ignore. God’s behavior in the Old Testament was quite different than what He manifests today. There are many instances in the Old Testament that I find incredibly harsh and difficult to reconcile, however I am more than willing to submit to God and His infinite wisdom.

Let us face it, God killed women and children and even unborn children by the thousands in the Old Testament. It is unpleasant to think about, but it is true nonetheless. The Mosaic Law commanded capital punishment for all kinds of sin, including rebellion against one’s parents. What a contrast to the parable of the prodigal son. My point is this: It is unwise and scripturally unsound the mesh the Old Testament with the New Testament, since in essence we are meshing the ministry of death with the ministry of life. (II Cor.3) But some believers do it to achieve their ultimate goal in supporting their moral judgments.

And that is exactly why people cheer the amount of executions conducted in Texas. But to be sure, in spite of Gov. Perry’s words to the contrary, Americans do not understand justice. Oh they may understand self serving justice that is meted out against those other than themselves, but they certainly do not understand the justice of God. And added to that ignorance, the same crowd that cheered multiple executions booed the caring for poor undocumented workers. And I am sure many of those attend a Christian church.

But for those of us who understand God’s justice, and who understand the profound wickedness of our own sin, we must have a more compassionate understanding of earthly justice in light of the divine grace wherein we stand. Even those who believe in capital punishment, should never relish the execution of another human being. And many of those who are executed were born into environments that provided a breeding ground for criminal behavior.

Sinners do not need justice; we need mercy. This chest pounding, law and order bravado is diametrically opposed to the New Testament revelations of Jesus Christ and the instructions given to His followers. There are testimonies of mothers whose daughter was murdered, but who not only forgave that murderer, but visited him in prison and led him to Christ. That, my dear friends, is the revelation of a committed follower of the Lord Jesus. That is a living, breathing expression of Christ that escapes the round table doctrinal arguments and proceeds without the camp bearing His reproach. That is not just Christianity in its truest form, but that is Christ Himself!

The Scripture is clear. The government has the power to execute criminals. But we as believers, although acknowledging that fact, must also find ways of redemption rather than applaud the untimely death of some unknown sinner. And furthermore, we should be quick to grieve over one lost soul. This current stream of moral and nationalistic faith that claims to follow Jesus is most unseemly and greatly misrepresents Him who gave Himself so that sinners might find life.

And when we all meet our God, it will not be justice that we applaud. It will be grace that amazes the angelic audience. And so then, we who cling to grace for ourselves, how can we love the sight of another receiving judgment?

Lord God, we fall wholly upon Your grace, and we pray for the redemption of all those who stand in desperate need of a Savior.