It's not about guilt, it's about mercy.

Note: Missouri is set to execute Richard Clay January 12th, for the murder of a New Madrid, Missouri man.The purpose of this is not to debate the guilt or innocence of Richard Clay. At the time of the murder, I was news director of a local radio station. We broke the story that morning and followed all of the trials through each verdict. I have my own thoughts about it, but that is not the issue. The issue is whether or not the death penalty should be used.

Up until about 5 years ago, if anyone asked me if I was for or against the death penalty, I would have said hang them high and make it public. To me, the only way to detour someone from killing someone else would be to make the punishment so severe, that they would never think of performing a terrible act of violence.

But then my opinion began to change on the matter a few years ago. As I was reading scripture, I began to question whether or not it was right for anyone to take a life. Many would point to an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. I would like to point out that is old testament way of thinking and according to what I read, Jesus died to lift the burden of the law.

Someone may also point to scripture that says we are to obey God and we are to obey man’s laws too. True. However, is it possible that man has made laws that are against what God wants? Is it possible for man to make laws that are against God’s will? When our forefathers wrote the Declaration of Independence and penned the phrase “all men are created equal”, yet still owned slaves, do you believe this was against God’s will and wishes?

In the old testament way of thinking, what you did to one, ought to be done unto you. They believed the punishment should fit the crime, and in some cases the punishment was much more severe. There are some middle eastern countries who still carry out this type of old testament judgment. Recently, a woman was stoned to death for committing adultery. Who remembers the young American who was caned for breaking the law? Some of the punishment was so severe back in those times that we would not dare think of doing it today.

For instance, what does the old testament say about disobedient children? If you look at Deuteronomy 21:18-21, you will find that the answer was death.
“18 If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, 19 his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. 20 They shall say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” 21 Then all the men of his town are to stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid.”

Now, how many of us would be outraged today if we knew in some town somewhere, two parents took their child to the city council and the council stoned him to death because of his disobedience? We would be furious. There would be marches and protests. The U.S. Senate would hold a hearing. Facebook fan pages for the deceased child would begin to circulate. Hollywood would hold a telethon in an effort to buy the town. Yet we think nothing of someone who is put to death because of a crime they committed.

We are not to be the people of old, we are to be the people of new. A new body, a new mind, a new way of thinking was given to us. Jesus said in Matthew15: “38 You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” He went on to say that we should also “love our enemies”.

“But they don’t deserve to be loved. They committed a horrible crime and they should be punished.” I hear you, but have you not also committed horrible crimes? Have you not also done things that were and are against God’s will? Think if God thought the same way you do. If He did, there would be no such thing as mercy and grace. We would not celebrate Christmas and Easter, because there would not have been Jesus. God’s love extends to everyone. All sinners. All believers and non-believers. His love extends to all races and all types of people. White, black, short, tall, thin, round, young, old, adulterers, fornicators, liars, thiefs, cheaters, and even murderers. Jesus died for all, not for some.

1 John 4:20 says “If anyone says “I love God”, yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” How much do we have to hate someone in order to wish harm or death on them?

Before Christ, the Jews were taught to take in your brother in need. Be good hosts to those who seek your help or shelter. But, when Jesus came to earth, he brought with him a radical new way of thinking. It wasn’t good enough just to be a good host, you are to love that person with all of your being. If they need your home, give it to them. If they need your shirt, hand it over to them. Even if they do wrong to you, turn the other cheek and give them double what they ask.

Also in 1 John 4:17 – 19, it says “This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.”

I know there will be many who disagree with me and some will try to pull some scripture out to justify murder for murder. But I feel convicted in my stance, that God does not wish for us to do so. Scripture after scripture tells us to love, and one cannot love another who they wish death.

Again, I am not here to debate innocence, but let’s say for argument sake Clay is guilty of the crime of murder. Does he not deserve the same grace and mercy that God has extended to us who believe? In God’s eyes, a sin is a sin and all are punishable by death. Not the death that man brings, but by the death that God commands on those who refuse him.