Compassion

Compassion

I favor the death penalty, but only when we can be absolutely sure beyond any possibility of doubt that the accused is guilty and deserving of death.

Recently the outgoing governer of Illinois commuted all the death sentences to life in prison. I applauded that decision. Why? Because man is not perfect and we can never know with a certainty that the person deserves death.

There was one thing about the commutations that saddened me. That was the response by the families of all the victims of those whose sentences were commuted. I was saddened because these people are only hurting themselves. They are angry because they feel there was no 'payment' for their loss. The are angry because they feel they were denied closure and justice. They are angry because they wanted to see 'somebody pay'!

Deuteronomy 32:35-36

Vengeance is mine, and recompense, At the time when their foot shall slide: For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things that are to come upon them shall make haste.

For Jehovah will judge his people, And repent himself for his servants; When he seeth that their power is gone, And there is none remaining, shut up or left at large.

Psalm 94:1

O Jehovah, thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, Thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, shine forth.

The Word of God clearly states that we should not, ourselves, take vengeance upon those who wrong us. This is the realm of God. If we take vengeance then it is we who suffer when we are wrong. God is never wrong!

Exodus 20:13

Thou shall not kill.

We are human beings, we are not perfect, we can be wrong. We must always recognize this simple truth. This is not to say that we may not protect ourselves, our society, and those we love and care about. We are permitted and encouraged to protect ourselves. This is why we have laws other than the Law of God. Only perfect people can fully and truely obey the Laws of God and we are not perfect. Because we are not perfect and because God is a god of Justice, God in the form and flesh of Christ Jesus suffered and gave His life that we could be forgiven all our transgressions.

John 3:16-19

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

Romans 12:14-21

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.

If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads."

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Let it go!

Let the Light of Christ guide your life. Forgive and forget, for this is the way of the Lord. Forgive and forget, for this is the only way to set down your burden and walk proudly in the Light of Christ. The sinners who were on death row and have now been given life have greatly hurt many persons. I ask that they forgive. Forgive the men and women who hurt them and, more importantly, forgive themselves. The burden of hate that they carrie is a rot that eats away at their insides. It does not hurt those toward whom it is aimed, it only hurts those who hold the hate in their hearts.

I am gladdened that the state of Illinois will not be making any errors and kill a human being who is not deserving of death. I am saddened that there are those who continue to hold hate in their hearts and so hurt themselves.

God has forgiven us all our sins. By His Grace we can have eternal life in His kingdom. If God can forgive our killing His only Son, I think we should be able to fogive the trangressions that others have made against us.

Let it go!

Amen