I end with Scripture, the key verses today from Romans. I realize that these are instructions to us as individual Christians and the death penalty is a societal question but the issue before us is if we as individuals should support it. Paul teaches us that we should not seek to repay evil for evil. We are to try and live peaceably as it pertains to us. Never avenge - leave it to the wrath of God. Listen, if someone spends their life in prison they still must stand before God for what they did. The Bible teaches us that this life is a vapor. Their eternal punishment will be far more than we can ever do to them. I understand how charged this issue is. I understand the political forces behind it. But as Christians we are not supposed to overcome evil by evil but rather with good. There are stories all the time of Christian parents who forgave the killer of their children. Sometimes we shake our heads and cannot fathom such forgiveness. But then we look to the cross.
Reverend Anthony Wade - May 2, 2014
