03.08.06
Can you do it? Will you do it?
An interesting proposal from a reader of this blog. Someone with whom I share some opinions and who I consider to be a good friend. The idea being, “Should we (at least try to) love Osama bin Laden?” Hmmmm. Now THERE’S a tough nut to crack. As is said in some parts of the country, “You just went from preachin’ to meddlin’.”
Osama, the butt of so many jokes. The object of so much vitriol and ire. Probably the most popular “Personality” target seen on US shooting ranges. So, what’s a christian to do?
Frankly, there’s not much we CAN do on a personal level except for the obvious - lift the man up in prayer. Can you imagine the impact of 100,000 Christians praying for him to repent? What about 1,000,000? 100,000,000? Imagine all of Christendom not crying for his head on a pike but rather rattling the gates of heaven with petitions for his soul! I’m not saying that he’d turn from his life of violence, but he’d be sure to feel the effects.
To often folks don’t realize the difference between a person’s responsibility as a Christian and the government’s responsibility. It makes me sad to see so many people carrying “Thou Shalt Not Kill” posters - protesting the government’s decision to demand the life blood of a convicted murderer. The true meaning of the ill translated verse is “Thou shalt not commit murder.” The Bible clearly states (Look up Romans 13) that the government bears the sword to punish those who do evil. It is the government’s job to hunt down and destroy Osama and any other person who does evil against our citizens. But we as christians have a duty to seek their redemption.
This dilemma is an old one. Many Christians have erred on the side of pacifism - refusing to take their place in the common defense provided for by our national constitution. They seem to feel that those who are in the military and police are evil persons. They, of course, are entitled to their opinions, but to often they forget that the Bible doesn’t condemn soldiers. In fact, John the Baptist told the soldiers to serve honorably and to be content with their pay. He didn’t tell them to desert or refuse to serve. The soldier does not act on his own - if he be an honorable man. He acts as “the hand of government” and those who send him in harm’s way are the ones who are responsible for any actions taken by him. This is not to exempt the individual for doing things which are reprehensible for that is his responsibility. Not for nothing does the oath taken by our soldiers specify “legal orders”. The soldier is under no obligation to do that which is illegal and immoral nor will he have to answer to his maker for obeying orders and fulfilling his duty as the hand of God’s government. (By God’s government I’m merely affirming that no one reaches power without God’s allowing it - whether they do good or evil is up to them but God is the one who sets anyone in any position of power)
Some time ago I read a short story in which the sherif went out in search of a murderer. He tracked him down, captured him without firing a shot and took him back to town to face trial.
The preacher brought food for the prisoner and talked to him about what he had done. He took pains to hear the man out, to talk to him about his soul and the results of what he had done. He made sure the prisoner had everything he needed and prayed for him.
The sherif took the man to be arraigned. He guarded him and made sure he was safe from the townsfolk, but that he could not escape either. During the whole penal process the sherif did his duty to care for the prisoner and protect him while guarding against his escape.
And during the whole penal process the preacher would go to the jail every day with hot food and a cheerful word for the prisoner. He made sure he had a chance to write to his loved ones and provided for many small things to make life easier for the man. And daily he lifted the prisoner up in prayer before his Lord.
When the trial was finally finished the prisoner was condemned to hang for the murder he had undoubtedly committed. The sherif returned him to jail where the preacher inquired as to what he would like for his last meal - and provided for it out of his own pocket. The next day the preacher was there early to once more speak with the prisoner and to beg him to repent before the final moment of his life - to no avail. The sherif then took the prisoner to the appointed place where he was executed for the capital crime he had committed.
Throughout the whole process both the preacher and the sherif fulfilled their duties to God and man. The town was so small that the preacher and the sherif jobs were filled by the same man.
So, what does this all have to do with Osama bin Laden? As christians we are bound to seek means to bring him to repentance and salvation. Yet we must not stand in the way of the government which is duty bound to bring him to account for the crimes he has committed against our nation.
Love Osama bin Laden? Yes. We must. And we must show that love through our prayers for him and his henchmen. And yet that love should not cause us to impede the actions of the government which has been set over us to “reward those who do good and punish those who do evil”.