INTRODUCTION
Capital punishment is not confined to the Old Testament. According to Romans chapter 13, souls are to be subject unto the higher powers because they bear “not the sword in vain” (Romans 13:1, 4). This sword is to be “a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Romans 13:4
). Any true student of the Bible acknowledges that this sounds like capital punishment, but there is more. In Romans chapter 1, the Bible provides a list of the sins and follows that list by saying, “that they which commit such things are worthy of death” (Romans 1:32
). Capital punishment is not done to the exclusion of God’s grace, but rather as an act of God’s just judgment.
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For children): Judges are appointed to judge for the Lord (2 Chronicles 19:6
). Those in authority have the right to punish evildoers (1 Peter 2:13-14 ). Consider Paul’s testimony to Festus (Acts 25:7-11 a). He knew there were reasons for capital punishment. - (For everyone): How could many of our government’s problems be helped if they would merely execute God’s plan of shedding the blood of those who shed innocent blood?
- Whose job is it to execute capital punishment (see Romans 13:1-4 )? It is just as unscriptural for a man to take matters in his own hand as it is for one to shed innocent blood in the first place.
PRAYER NEEDS
- Ask God to change your views to match His views.
- Thank God for teaching you the perfections of His plan.
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