When asked if I support the death penalty, without hesitation I say, yes. Reason being, God insists on capital punishment. He requires a reckoning for those who shed innocent blood.
For sinners, a reckoning is also required. Reason being, sinners in their fallen condition cannot come before the Holy God. By nature, all are corrupt, have turned from God, and do no good. From conception, all have hearts of stone. Man’s hostile position towards the Creator and Sovereign God leaves him in a position deserving God’s eternal wrath.
However, out of His mercy, God provided a means of reckoning for many. This came at the expense of His only begotten Son, Jesus who suffered capital punishment though nothing could be counted against Him. Now, in His suffering which lasted many hours unlike capital punishment of today, He bore the wrath of those deserving eternal judgement.
Two days later, He left His tomb empty proving that death was not final for Him. By faith, those who repent and turn from their sin will one day meet Him in Glory for by His death, the wrath they deserved was sustained by the Lord Jesus while He endured capital punishment on the cross.
The Good News is that Jesus, while He suffered miserably on the cross, reigns in Heaven and while He was here, inaugurated His Kingdom which will come to fulfillment upon His return. We have hope, knowing that those redeemed by His shed blood have His Spirit enabling them as priests to further His Kingdom in anticipation of His return.
So, have you repented and accepted that you need the reckoning that came from Jesus’s shed blood on the cross? If not, consider that God’s wrath is upon you. It will remain there provided you persist in your sin. Keeping with the example of capital punishment, you will endure the reckoning for the sin on your record. However, also consider that by faith in Jesus as the redeemer, God’s wrath will pass from you.
In His Image 