Friday, August 29, 2014

Justice and Society

"If a man takes the life of any human being, he shall surely be put to death. The one who takes the life of an animal shall make it good, life for life. If a man injures his neighbor, just as he has done, so it shall be done to him: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; just as he has injured a man, so it shall be inflicted on him. Thus the one who kills an animal shall make it good, but the one who kills a man shall be put to death. There shall be one standard for you; it shall be for the stranger as well as the native, for I am the Lord your God." -Leviticus 24.17-22

The Bible does speak to capital punishment. God says that if a man takes someone's live, he shall be put to death. Murder cannot be overlooked, and it cannot be treated with leniency. God lays out justice for His people so that society can function.

People will wonder how Christian's can be in favor of the death penalty if we're supposed to be all about forgiveness, mercy, and grace. The best answer I've heard came from Mike Huckabee during one of the Republican primaries. He was asked how he could be pro-life and in favor of the death penalty. He shared some of the experience he had had with signing the capital punishment order as governor, and ended by saying the difference between the death penalty and abortion is that abortion takes a life that hasn't had the chance to choose what to do.

In Deuteronomy 17 we see the requirements for carrying out the death penalty. There had to be at least two eyewitnesses, and the witnesses would cast the first stones to carry out the sentence. Those who took like intentionally were punished by having their life taken. Life has to be protected for society to function.

Men, do we believe in and support justice? Do we defend life and work to protect society itself? Do we value life? Are we willing to stand up for justice to protect the lives and rights of the innocent?

Let us stand up for justice and protect society. It is part of our responsibility as men.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

No comments:

Post a Comment