Osama bin Laden is dead. Are you happy? Why?
Here are eight reasons why we should NOT be glad about the death of bin Laden...
{First, allow me to clarify: I am very thankful that bin Laden is no longer able to harm others through terrorism, deception, false teaching, and murder, but I am not glad that he is dead.}
1. Osama bin Laden was an image-bearer of God, created in God's likeness (Genesis 1:26). God the Father formed and fashioned his body and soul in his mother's womb (Psalm 139). Let's not rejoice at the destruction of God's image-bearer.
2. Death is the result of sin (Genesis 3:19). This is not the way it's supposed to be. Death is part of the curse. Let's not rejoice at death.
3. Death is the enemy (I Corinthians 15:26). Jesus lived, died and rose again to destroy death and him who had the power of death (Hebrews 2:14). Let's not rejoice at death.
4. God takes no pleasure in death, therefore repent and live (Ezekiel 18:32). Instead of rejoicing in the death of a sinner, we should work and pray and go and give and call sinners to repentance.
5. If we celebrate justice has been done, let's meditate on God's justice. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6). "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). In our sin we all deserve to die, but Jesus rescued us from sin and death. Osama will stand alone before God and he will be judged according to his works (Matthew 25). We also will stand alone before God and be judged according to our works (II Corinthians 5:10). I'm not arguing for moral equivalence where all sins are identical. Instead, I'm saying let's not rejoice in bin Laden's judgment but let's grieve and then examine our own hearts and works.
6. If bin Laden never repented of his sins and never cried out to God for grace and mercy and never became a follower of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, then he is in hell tonight, suffering the wrath of Almighty God (John 3:36). He is in blackest darkness (Jude 1:13) where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Luke 13:28). He is being tormented in everlasting fire (Luke 16:24). When Jesus returns bin Laden will be punished with everlasting destruction away from the presence of the Lord (II Thessalonians 1:9).
7. Unless we repent, we all will likewise perish (Luke 13:1-5).
8. Jesus commands us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who spitefully use us (Luke 6:27-28).
Let me explain, I fully understand that God demands the death of some sinners, especially those who take the lives of other image-bearers (Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21). I also know that God himself sometimes takes the lives of sinners (Leviticus 10). Finally, I believe that God ordains governments as the avengers against those who do evil (Romans 13). I'm just saying let's not be glad about it. Today is not a day for partying, but for praying, and for thanking God.
Thank God that bin Laden is no longer able to harm others through terrorism, deception, false teaching, and murder.
Thank God that our government takes action against terrorism and genocide.
Thank God that he rescued us from sin and death through the resurrection of his Son Jesus.
Pray that our government will also take action against abortion and euthanasia.
Pray for the safety of our troops.
Pray that God would send missionaries to bring the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ to the Middle East.
Pray for the salvation of Muslims.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would convict us of sin and that we would repent.
Pray that Jesus would strengthen us to love our enemies.
Pray that God would fuel our hearts with an urgency to share the gospel with lost people.
Pray that we would fix our eyes on Jesus and look for the return of King Jesus to rule and reign and judge and establish true justice on earth (Isaiah 9:6-7).
If you're interested in reading more, I recommend http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/05/02/how-should-christians-think-about-the-death-of-osama-bin-laden/
I think "glad" is a nebulous term. And, I think you bring a good word to the people who just say, "He was wicked. He deserved to die."
ReplyDeleteI think you would agree with someone who said, "I'm glad that God's justice has prevailed in this situation" or maybe even, "I'm glad that bin Laden is dead because God has clearly revealed His justice to the world through that death." But, to simply say, "I'm glad he's dead" is purely sadistic with no reason other than that you hate the guy.
That said, the Scriptures do have many passages that point to God's satisfaction in punishing the "wicked" and even calling saints to take satisfaction in God's execution of justice.
Thus shall my anger spend itself, and I will vent my fury upon them and satisfy myself. (Ezekiel 5:13]
[Wisdom calls out:] Because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you. (Proverbs 1:25–26)
Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her! (Revelation 18:20)
As the Lord took delight in doing you good . . . so the Lord will take delight in bringing ruin upon you and destroying you. (Deuteronomy 28:63)
These are all taken from Piper's post here: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/is-god-glad-osama-bin-ladens-dead
Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., "I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy."
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