INTRODUCTION

Capital punishment is not confined to the Old Testament. According to Romans 13, souls are to be subject unto the higher powers, because they bear "not the sword in vain" (Romans 13:1Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
See All..., 4). This sword is to be "a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil" (Romans 13:4For he is the 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 the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
See All...). Any honest Bible student would acknowledge that this sounds a great deal like capital punishment, but there is more. In Romans 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 1:32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
See All...). 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 smaller children) Judges are appointed to judge for the Lord (2 Chronicles 19:6And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.
  See All...). Those in authority have the right to punish evildoers (1 Peter 2:13-14 [13] Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; [14] Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
  See All...). Consider Paul's testimony to Festus (Acts 25:7-11 [7] And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. [8] While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all. [9] But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? [10] Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. [11] For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.
  See All...a). He knew there were reasons for capital punishment.
• 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 [1] Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. [3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: [4] For he is the 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 the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
  See All...)? 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.
• Thank God for teaching you the perfections of His plan.

HYMN

I’ll Not Give Up the Bible

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