Subject: Death penalty Biblical? |
Bible Note: Luke 23:34 Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. Are we wise when we put to death? Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. The death penalty is a way to take our anger out on someone, vengeance. This is an eye for an eye was the old law. Rom 12:17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If you have the opportunity to hurt someone Choose peace instead. Rom 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Capitol PunishMent Not Capitol Peace Harmony love forgiveness understanding Justice. Rom 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. God does not want us to do the repaying ourselves. Matt 5:21 "the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court. But I say everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court Hell comes to those who sin; it is not up to us to decide who goes to hell. Rom 12:20 "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK In vengeance, our minds have been overtaken by evil. God wants us to love our enemies. Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. There is no authority except from God. Does God really say here that all people in authority absolutely know what they are doing? Do you know that each human being is beloved by God? He is Omnipotent, that is- All Powerful. This does not mean there exists other little authorities here and there. He is the One Authority there is. This is what Paul was saying; the power that there is. If you think gods rule over you have given them your power. No one rules over us but the One God. Jesus said the ruler of the WORLD is the Devil. Pharaoh would have had power over the Israelites to keep them in Egypt. He was a governing authority who harmed the Israelites. God brought them out so that they could seek and find a land of prosperity. God does not want us to be slaves of evil authorities. All authorities are not good for us. Did Paul kill Aanaias? or did he die out of shame? God is all about compassion and salvation of us from our sin. He would not have us suffer for our sin, but would save us. Matt 12:7 -I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE, you would not have condemned the innocent. Luke 6:37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Rom 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself John 8:4 Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery John 8:5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say? John 8:6 But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. He straightened up, and said to them, He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you? She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more. John 8:15 YOU JUDGE ACCORDING TO THE FLESH; I am not judging anyone. John 8:16 But even if I do judge, MY JUDGMENT IS TRUE; for I AM NOT ALONE IN IT, but I and the Father who sent Me. What makes us think we know everything, when Jesus here is saying he needs the Father's help? John 5:30 "I can do NOTHING on My own initiative. As I HEAR, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My OWN will, but the WILL OF HIM WHO SENT ME. The Father would forgive everyone their sins. Jesus is not trying to teach us what the rules of the world are. We know. But the Father thinks differently and loves us. Is 55:8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. 8 Is 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. It is the Father's will, not ours. Not the world's. Do you think Jesus believed in the death penalty? When Jesus was on the cross he told the thief that was hanging next to him -This day you shall see heaven. Jesus forgave EVERYONE. He wants us to do the same. |