Christians and the News about Bin Laden

Newscasts are consumed with the recent killing of Bin Laden and the television crews quickly broadcast the celebration at the White House. Facebook and Twitter had record posts and the sentiments of many were sheer delight and elation. Others were uncomfortable with such rejoicing over the death of any human, even if he was clearly an evil terrorist. What should be the response of believers?

This is a tough subject. I am certain that I do not have all of the answers but let me offer some things to think about it. At first glance I think there are two distinctions that need to be made.

1. The distinction between God and humanity. God is the judge and we are not.
2. The distinction between personal revenge and civil responsibility. It is not for us to mete out justice but God does have ordained entities, called to carry it out.

These comments are not exhaustive and I am sure there are some holes in my reasoning. But hopefully it will provide a lens through which we can reflect on the events of these last few hours.

God and humanity are distinct. He is perfect and holy and is the judge of all the earth and according to Genesis 18:25, “always does what is right.” Deuteronomy 32:3, 4 says His work is “perfect” and “all of His ways are just.” Psalm 145:17 echoes that when it notes, “The LORD is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works.” Jeremiah 50:7 says that the Lord is “the habitation of justice” and Psalm 89:14 declares that “justice and judgment are the habitation of His throne.” We, however, are neither holy nor just and therefore we cannot engage the enterprise of executing judgment.

Personal revenge and civil responsibility are also distinct. Everything God does is just and right. That does not mean we understand it, but it is just, that is in step with His entire character of love, mercy, truth, and righteousness. We, however, are not holy, pure, undefiled, just, or righteous and the list goes on and on. That is why God has not given us the right to execute justice. We are not to avenge evil ourselves. God has instead chosen civil authorities to do that. When someone murders another, it is not right of the relative of that person to get revenge. God does, however, bring that person to justice for their crime but through the entity of civil government. See Romans 12 below.

Romans 12:14-21
Bless those who persecute]you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Clearly, it is not our job to get revenge! But read on in chapter 13 of Romans.

Romans 13:1-4
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

Civil authorities are “ministers of God” to execute His justice and bring wrath on those who practice evil. The USA Navy seals did just that this weekend on Osama Bin Laden. Not personal revenge, but they executed, as ministers of God, the justice of God.
By the way,…this is why it is so important that we do not dismiss the Word of God as that upon which we base our laws. If we throw out Scripture, who will determine what is good and evil?

Part of the character and nature of God is that He is just. He should be praised for that and every other attribute of His character, including love, mercy, and truth. He should be praised for who He is. Our praise today, the day after the Bin Laden announcement, should be God-directed and should emerge from hearts that recognize that the God we worship is just and deserving of our praise. We should rejoice in the fact that His truth and righteousness have been clearly manifest. But, we must also do so with reverence and thanksgiving, cognizant that only because we have placed our trust in Christ, who on Calvary took our judgment, are we free from that condemnation and judgment.
Divine justice was served when Bin Laden was executed. Justice was also served when the wrath of God was poured out on Jesus for us. We rejoice in Christ’s death, not because death is lovely, but because His death was an act of a just God who does everything right.
Certainly there is much more but may we at least reflect upon these truths in these difficult and perplexing days.

Pastor Kevin