CAPITAL PUNISHMENT: What does the Bible say about it?

There is much controversy over the issue of capital punishment throughout the world. Some countries like Canada, Dominican Republic and Germany have abolished it yet the debate rages on. In Jamaica the land of my birth, the death penalty (hanging by the neck until dead) is still good law even though it has not been used for many years now. There are many people who have been lobbying for the government to resume hanging simply because they want to tackle a growing crime problem.

I read an interesting article today about Capital Punishment and thought I would share it with my readers. The article highlighted the executions of Troy Davis, Lawrence Brewer and Derrick Mason, and discussed Capital Punishment from a Biblical perspective. I thought the article was well written and addressed some lingering questions I had about man's moral and legal authority.

So what does the Bible say about Capital Punishment? According to the article:

"The answer is “it’s complicated.”"

The article goes on to say:

"Capital punishment was a significant feature in the justice system of Old Testament Israel. Execution was called for in response to extreme civil crimes like murder and rape, as well as for offenses against God’s holiness, like false prophecy and witchcraft. There were mechanisms in place to avert the death penalty in some situations, and God sometimes spared the lives of people whose actions, legally speaking, would have otherwise meant the death penalty."

The article says that in the book of Genesis, God established a principle to address murder.

"The death penalty was never employed arbitrarily or frivolously. In fact, observing the use of capital punishment in the Old Testament actually shows us how precious human life is to God. Because human beings are image-bearers of God, murder was such a serious affront to both God and man that it had to be answered with the blood of the murderer. Genesis 9:6 suggests that this sense of justice is woven into the moral fabric of Creation."

While reading the paragraph above I was thinking: 'But what about Christ's sacrifice, grace, and mercy under the new covenant?' The article addressed this too:

"The New Testament adds important context to the topic but doesn’t clearly instruct us one way or the other regarding the death penalty. The apostle Paul acknowledges that wielding “the sword” is a legitimate exercise of government authority—presumably he is referring to its duty to punish criminals, with violence if necessary. On the other hand, many of Jesus’ actions and words, such as his foiling of the execution of the adulterous woman, suggest that mercy and humility should stay society’s killing hand. And of course, no Christian is unaware of Jesus’ own experience with capital punishment: he was the ultimate innocent victim of the government’s sword wielded unjustly."

The article concluded with a sobering statement:

"Regardless of our conclusions, Christians must make sure that Christlike values—justice, humility, and grace—motivate us, rather than vengeance or hate; and whether Christians choose to support or oppose capital punishment, we are all called to make sure that it is carried out justly and does not target innocent people."

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this. :)

ARTICLE: What does the Bible say about Capital Punishment?

PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING

Yes everything!

It is very important that we consult God about every aspect of our lives, every day, all the time! He is the Almighty God with whom every born-again believer should have a personal relationship. He wants us to talk to him and ask Him things even though he already knows everything about us.

As a born-again believer you are in an active relationship with GOD through Jesus because He made you for that purpose. Don’t you think He wants to be in constant communication with you? Can anyone be in a healthy productive relationship with someone if there is little or no communication? Look at what the scripture says:

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)

We are commanded to be careful for nothing. This refers to being disturbed or annoyed in spirit as well as to promoting your own interests. The context here is that we are not to be anxious or troubled about anything but to do everything that concerns us through prayer, thankfully asking God for the things we need.

The Greek context shows us that prayer and supplication refer to prayer addressed directly to God in the form of seeking, asking and entreating from a point of need, indigence and want. These needs and wants are what God is telling us to bring before Him and ask Him for with thankfulness. When we do this the peace of God which stands out, above and beyond all understanding, shall keep our heart (inner being) and mind (thoughts) through Christ Jesus.

Whatever it is, take it to God in prayer!

Be SOBER, WATCH and PRAY!

Many people wonder about different aspects of prayer and wish they could grow more disciplined in their prayer life. I know for a fact that I need to be more disciplined about it. Prayer is communication with God and brings us greater intimacy with Him. We cannot be nonchalant about it because there is dynamic power in prayer. We have to be assertive and proactive.

We are urged to be sober, to watch UNTO prayer, to continue in prayer, and to watch IN prayer with thanksgiving. The following scriptures are very specific and speak to the entire person. It is remarkable when we analyse the Greek text that the scripture is urging us to be sober in mind, in spirit and in body.

“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”
1 Peter 4:7 (KJV)

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”
Colossians 4:2 (KJV)

Let's first discuss the words UNTO and IN. In the Greek the usage of UNTO denotes going into something that has a hollow or open space relating to either place or time. It is saying we should watch and while watching, enter into prayer like you would enter into that open space. The usage of IN denotes a fixed position inside either a place or time. It is saying we should be inside prayer as if we are inside in the interior of something and we should be watching while we are in it.

In the Greek text of 1 Peter, ‘sober’ and ‘watch’ derive from different words, have different applications, but have similar meaning. The Greek word translated ‘sober’ applies to the mind in this scripture while the word translated ‘watch’ applies to the spirit. They both refer to being sound or sober. These scriptures therefore command us to be of sound mind and to be calm, collected and circumspect in spirit.

In the Greek text of Colossians, the word ‘watch’ has a different origin as well as a different application but similar meaning. It applies to the body and refers to watching in the sense of being awake and not sleeping. It has the connotation of being cautious and of giving strict attention to something. In this instance we are commanded to be cautious, to give strict attention specifically to prayer with thanksgiving, and to continue on the inside of prayer.

Now think about what all this is saying:
Be mentally and spiritually sound or sober as well as physically cautious and alert. Go into prayer as if you are inside a bubble and stay focused in prayer while you are inside. Continue to do this with thankfulness to God because the end of all things is approaching.

What a precious portrayal of sober and watchful prayer!

God Bless You!

THE CEASELESS PRAYER

We are told in scripture to pray without ceasing.

“How is that possible?” you ask.

Well, when I think about it, I believe it means we are to talk to God using words at various times and talk to Him in thought throughout each minute of the day every day. The scripture commands us to:

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

We are commanded here to make prayers to God continuously. The Greek word translated “without ceasing” is used only 4 times in the Greek concordance of the King James Version. It literally means incessantly, assiduously and without intermission. This is non-stop prayer; no breaks!

Look at what Psalm 1:1-2 (KJV) says:

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."

This man described in the Psalm above takes so much pleasure in the law of the LORD that he meditates in it day and night. This word 'meditate' derives from the Hebrew word HAGAH, which refers to moaning, groaning, uttering, musing, muttering, meditating and imagining. The Psalmist is saying that the man does all these things with the Word of God day and night. Now if this man can do that literally with the Word then we can surely do that with the Word as well! This meditation or reciting the Word is exactly like praying continuously!

Look at what Psalm 63:5-6 (KJV) says:

"My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches."

According to the Hebrew context the Psalmist is saying that his soul is filled and enriched abundantly with the best and most excellent of everything BECAUSE his mouth praises God with joyful speech when he remembers God upon his bed and meditates on Him at night. Here we have that same word 'meditate'. It is because of the meditating or constant repeating of God's Word all the time why the Psalmist's soul is completely satiated or satisfied with excellence.

I believe we are to pray continuously in our minds and in our spirit all day, every day and forever just like the Psalmist meditates. This is in addition to our standard secret prayer and the Holy Spirit secret prayer. Also remember that prayer is like breathing; breathe in by listening to the still small voice of God and breathe out by talking to God in different ways!

I pray God's Abundant Blessings for you!

THE (Holy Spirit) SECRET PRAYER

It is a fact that many people find it difficult to pray when they are under stress. There are times when it seems as though some cannot pray. For many who are experiencing the effects of the global recession, the weight of it all makes praying harder and harder. There is also the reality that the enemy (Satan) does not want us to pray and tries to prevent us from praying when it is absolutely necessary for us.

There have been times when I was so affected by an external circumstance that I found it ‘easier said than done’ to fall on my knees or face and pray. I have since learned that it is when we are at our lowest or our weakest that we really need to seek God in prayer. God always rewards us with His JOY, which is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV) and a peace which passes understanding (Philippians 4:7 KJV).

So what does the scripture say about those times when we cannot pray? My readers should know by now that the Holy Spirit always leads me to examine the texts from which our English translation of the Holy Bible was made. Let us go to it now.

The Greek text literally tells us that the Holy Spirit helps our weaknesses because we do not know what we need to pray about when there is the need to pray. The text also says the Holy Spirit Himself makes intercessory prayer for us with sighs that cannot be expressed in words.

The seal of the Holy Spirit is the mark of God and is upon every born-again believer. We belong to God and because we belong to God the Holy Spirit is there to fulfill our every need. When we can't pray He takes over like autopilot and begins to pray for us with these sighs which words cannot express. Take a deep breath right now. Go ahead no one is looking. Okay, now let it out in a sigh. This is how the Holy Spirit prays for you when you cannot pray.

The Holy Spirit prays for us and Christ Himself who searches the hearts and knows the mind of the Spirit, understands this secret prayer which is made on our behalf by the Holy Spirit. Christ also intercedes for us to God so in essence He repeats the prayer of the Holy Spirit to God for us. Christ also pleads our cause to God because He has experienced the things we experience now. Christ understands our predicament and is able to articulate it precisely to God on our behalf. Look at what the Holy Bible says:

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27 (KJV)

Please understand that the Holy Spirit is a HE as described in other scriptures such as in John 15:26 and John 16:13. He is the third person of the triune ELOHIYM. The Greek word translated ‘itself’ is AUTOS in the Greek text. It is literally used in instances where ‘himself, herself, themselves and itself’ are the translated English words.

The groanings which cannot be uttered are the sighs that words cannot express. I know that a few people reading this just rocked back in their chairs thinking: “The Greek text says that? Wow!” It sure did! I rocked back in my chair too when the Holy Spirit first gave this to me.

It is very important that you remember this: When you don’t know what to say in prayer, or you cannot pray, make yourself available to the Holy Spirit so that He can pray for you. Take up an ‘attitude of prayer’, make time to go into your ‘secret place’, position yourself with patient humility, and wait. I guarantee that since you can’t talk the Holy Spirit will take over and pray the prayer that directly addresses your need.

Be blessed and don't forget to pray.

THE (Standard) SECRET PRAYER

Jesus taught about many things leading up to Matthew 6:6. He gave the beatitudes (5:3-12), taught about believers (5:13-16), the laws of Moses and the laws of the kingdom (5:17-22), restitution (5:23-24), civil law suits (5:25-26), adultery (5:27-30), divorce (5:31-32), taking oaths (5:33-37), retaliation (5:38-42), and taught about love (5:43-48).

When Jesus began to speak in chapter 6, He began by discussing acts of charity (6:1-4). He said people who do charity just so others would see them have NO REWARD from God. He went on to teach about prayer after that and continued in a similar vein. He said:

“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6 (KJV)

When I examined Matthew 6:6 in the context of the Greek text, the Holy Spirit gave me an awesome revelation.

Jesus was telling us that our attitude in prayer determines the results we receive when we pray. He said hypocrites pray so that they may be seen and they have their reward, that is, the fruit that comes naturally from toils and endeavors, for these types of prayers.

However, He said when we pray to God we are to find a very private place like a storeroom, an inner chamber or a secret room. We are to go into it and shut up the door so that the room is inaccessible, then pray to God our Father who is hidden or concealed.

Jesus also said when we pray in this manner our Heavenly Father sees our prayer, which is also hidden and concealed, and gives us plainly recognizable things originating from Himself. He rewards us like this simply because He said He would.

Even though Jesus did not need to verify the truth of His teaching, He did so when He said:

"...for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." Matthew 6:8b (KJV)

Our heavenly Father knows everything about us, knows all our needs and wants, and knows what we intend to ask for, long before we even think about asking. He simply wants our attitude of prayer to be according to His Word in Matthew 6:6 and He will give us of Himself and let everyone know. How awesome is that?

Praise Him now! HalleluJah!

This post is linked to: PRAYER IS LIKE BREATHING.

PRAYER IS LIKE BREATHING

Here is an excerpt from September's Issue of my newsletter: TO THE SAVING OF THE SOUL.

Praying is as important to our souls as breathing is to our bodies. I imagine that some people are asking:

“What do you mean?”

I mean, prayer is two-way communication with God: we talk to Him using our words and thoughts and listen to His still small voice. One action is out-flowing while the other is in-flowing.

Let us discuss LISTENING first.

God intended to commission Elijah to perform some great works. Elijah started living in a cave and the word of God came to him one day asking him what he was doing in the cave! Elijah tried to explain himself but God told him to go stand on the mountain. God literally told Elijah to position himself. Elijah obeyed and God passed by him while he was standing there. The scripture tells us that when God passed by a great and strong wind tore up the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces but God was not in the wind. After the wind had passed an earthquake came but God was not in the earthquake either. After the earthquake there was a fire but again, God was not in the fire. However, after the fire there was a still small voice, which Elijah heard and responded to with words and actions.

Please read the entire lesson here: TO THE SAVING OF THE SOUL.

This issue of the newsletter is an introduction to the lessons about the different aspects of prayer. These short lessons will be posted on this blog throughout the month of September. Look forward to a wonderful blessing from them.

Be Blessed!

(video links in post) RUN THE RACE & GO FOR THE GOLD

Well, the Jamaican men's relay final team consisting of Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Michael Frater & Nesta Carter did extremely well at the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Daegu South Korea. Usain Bolt was the highlight of the event, anchoring the Jamaican team, shattering their old World Record (WR), and setting a new 37.04 second WR in the 4 x 100m relay event.

If you missed the race you can see it here: TELEVISION JAMAICA (TVJ) men's 4x100m relay final.

Jamaica's women's 4 x 100m relay final team consisting of Veronica Campbell-Brown, Sherone Simpson, Kerron Stewart and Shelly-Ann Frazer-Price also did well but won silver behind team USA.

If you missed the race you can see it here: TELEVISION JAMAICA (TVJ) women's 4x100m relay final.

World class sprinters excel because they prepare physically as well as mentally for their races. They literally shed all cares and focus completely on the course as well as on the finish line and the prize: the gold medal. They run with a vision of the prize!

This is a great example of the Biblical teaching in Hebrews 12:1-3 (KJV). It says:

Hebrews 12:1-3
King James Version (KJV)

"1. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

Believers are compassed with a great cloud of witnesses similar to but greater than those that were gathered to watch the Jamaican team shatter the world record in the stadium in Daegu, South Korea. :)

Believers are running a race and are urged to lay aside every weight and the sin which can hinder us. We are also urged to run with patience the race set before us, looking to Jesus in a similar way that these world class sprinters look to the finish line and the gold medal. Our advantage as believers is that we have JESUS who perfects our faith and brings us to the prize at the end of it: eternal life.

Run your race with patience and look to Jesus the author and finisher of your faith.

God Bless you and God bless Jamaica.

SMM