The Sentence of Death

From time to time we hear of someone who has been sentenced to the death penalty because of some crime against someone or society. When this happens there are those who quickly oppose such actions as brutal and unusual punishment. On the other hand, others feel this is proper and should be carried out.

Supporters of capital punishment want justice to be carried out against those who disregard the lives of others. Believing no one has a right to live who disregards the lives of other people. They insist that the death penalty does deter violent crimes.

But there is another view that should be observed by all mankind. It is not the view of those who are for, or against capital punishment. But what the council of God says, man’s Creator, in this matter. Does God have an opinion? Does anyone want to know what his will is in this controversy? Maybe, a better question would be is, does it matter what his will is? Never the less, he has already told man what to do and that would settle all discussions if heeded. But man being who he is with his fallen nature is not quick to listen to him.

1. Capital Punishment For Law Breakers

Notice, the Lord God said;

And surely your blood, the blood of your lives, will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it: and at the hand of man, even at the hand of every man’s brother, will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. Genesis 9:5-6

I will require of beast and man, whoever takes another’s life, his life is to be taken by man. (The government is to carry this out.)

The Apostle Paul in Romans states;

Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God. Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing. Romans 13:1-6

Government is ordained of God and is the second, of three institutions that God has approved of. Marriage is the first institution, and the Church is the third institution. It is through the government, either state or federal that proper punishment is to be carried out against the evil in society. Man alone is not to take vengeance on someone or get even.

Apostle Paul writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said;

But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. Romans 13:4

A sword is an instrument of death. It is used to kill. The Apostle said the government had a sword, or the power to take the life of evil doers. God has ordained that the government has the responsibility and the right, to take the lives of those who take the lives of others. To put it another way, the government is God’s minister to protect society. It fails to do so when it does not take the lives of the evil doers among the nations.

In the Old Testament, people received the death sentence for;

Murder and kidnapping
Rape
Adultery
Cursing parents

2. Bodies of Death

Cemetaries around the world testify to the fact that all humans die. Aging people finally expire and many others who never even make it to their senior years, are placed in graves and tombs around the world. This is common for the young and the old, who both are in death’s clutches. No one ever escapes their appointed time of departure from this life.

And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment; Hebrews 9:27

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 1 Corinthians15: 53-54

Do you ever think about the fact that the sentence of death is upon us all, and soon each of us will breath the fresh air of this world no more. Our time will come and we will exit this life to live in another place. A place we have been preparing for while we were here. My friend, do you realize we are preparing for heaven or hell?

Why is it that we die, when we long to live so much? Life is so wonderful to us. There is one reason we die. We have sinned. It is common to all of us. We as humans are a race of sinners. We have broken God’s holy law. The penalty for this is death.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

These bodies we reside in will be stilled by the Grim Reaper one day. But God has provided an even more wonderful life for all of us who have repented of our sins and accepted his son Jesus Christ as our personal savior. With that promise, comes the promise of a new body which will never die or suffer any of the sorrows of this life. It is a body we will live in forever in an eternal paradise.

Many people will not avail themselves of this salvation that has been provided. The allurements of this world, and the rebellion of the hearts of many, will keep them from knowing the savior who loved them so much he died a horrible death on Calvary some two thousand years ago to pay for all of our sins.

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2

3. The Promise of New Life
While it is appointed unto all that we must physically die, God has planned for the resurrection of our deceased bodies and their transformation into glorious bodies. Bodies like that of our resurrected Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We will live in these new bodies forever and will never again have the limitations and restrictions we experience today. Personally, I cannot get over the promise of living forever in a world with no devil, no evil, and no pain or sorrow. This is beyond my comprehension and more than I can take in, although I believe it is true. God is so good to us. His desire is for all of us to live with him forever, and enjoy the blessings he has to share throughout the endless ages to come. But only those who turn from their sin, to Jesus, will experience these blessings from the Lord. Have you trusted Jesus as your savior? He has already paid for your sin. So why miss heaven? Consider the following scripture;

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God: and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away. And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true. Revelation 21:1-5

While some criminals are put to death by the governments of the world, God has appointed that all of us die because we have sinned against him. But, he is offering pardon to all who will accept his son as their savior.

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:20-26

One final word, and that is, all who fail to trust Christ will experience eternal separation from God and all that is good. All the unsaved will eventually spend eternity with the Devil and his angels in the Lake of Fire. That is how awful man’s sin is to Holy God, no matter how good or moral a person may have been.

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.... And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:10, 12-15

Don’t go to hell, my friend. You will regret it forever!
Heavenly Father, thank you for providing eternal life for us who have sinned against you. Although, we were dead in our sins, you have paid for our sins by the death of your only Son. May all of our readers know the joy of your salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Preacher