Secondly, I think we must take in to account the whole of scripture.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9

This side of glory, we will never fully understand the ways of God but, He has revealed a great deal about Himself and His ways via the scriptures.
The attributes of God are important to consider for this death penalty discussion; we must recognize that He never changes and that there are distinct functions of the trinity.

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5
Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. Genesis 9:6

The scriptures tells us that God (the Father) knows us and has established boundaries that never change.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:1-4
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:17
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10

Knowing our desperate need, The Father sent the son, the Lord Jesus; co-equal with the Father but on a specific mission. This, what we consider "peaceful" man is the same as the Father. He came to give us ground-rules to abide by in our daily walk. His was not a mission of judgment (or execution of the law) but one of redemption.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 1 Peter 2:13-16

The Lord Jesus came to save and to demonstrate the way to live, daily. Also, God has, from the beginning, given us the charge to maintain law and order while being compassionate. He ascended back to heaven and left us the Holy Spirt (co-equal with the Father and the Son) to enable us down here.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:16-17
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4

With this said, never once has God (the trinity) been separated. There is but one God.

The scriptures are clear that the law is for transgressors, the Christian doesn't need the law as he or she is under grace and therefore held to a higher standard of living. The unbeliever on the other hand, murders without remorse. This is where a potential gray-area is in our finite minds. How can we, being compassionate, forgiving, loving, Christians dole out a penalty of death to unbelievers which God has stated we will take care of; while being capable of committing heinous crimes ourselves?

The penalties, for transgressors, are to be just and meted out to believers and unbelievers alike. Now, another discussion can be held on whether a true, spirit filled, Christian can commit murder.

The next coming of Christ will be in judgment; this is when He will bring the perfect letter of the law (His Word) into effect. In that day, the electric chair, as a judgment, will seem petty.

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:11

Until then, His spirit aids us in discernment, judgment, and execution of the law. If this is not the case then caos becomes the norm. If we are not righteous enough to sentence the murderer to a punishment worthy of the crime, then we are not righteous to sentence the thief his penalty, under the law.

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:18

God's Word never changes. We need to get the gospel out; Christ died for sinners. Salvation is what the murderer, and every unbeliever needs, then via the electric chair, lethal injection, or natural death, is not the end. He or she will live again. But, the here and now requires justice and we will have to give an account of everything we've been entrusted with this side of heaven.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1 Cor. 15:55


Back to Questions