When God’s Justice Is Served
Posted on May 2, 2011
Filed Under Current Events, For Further Thought... | 8 Comments
Is that what we have in the death of Osama Bin Laden?
The evidence is in – Osama Bin Laden was a sinner. He was a man who waged war and was not above plotting to kill thousands of innocents (non-combatants) in his pursuit of Jihad. He believed his god wanted him to engage in a war against the great Satan (the USA) and all western influences that were contrary to his Muslim faith.
Some see him as a holy warrior. Others see him as the enemy, someone to be killed; and that before he kills more of us. Perhaps we should consider how the One True God of heaven looks at Osama Bin Laden and more to the point, how God sees us.
Was it the “justice of God” that was served when Osama was killed by American soldiers? Some argue “yes”. A wicked man received his reward. We should rejoice at this significant event. Really?
Then it should follow that God’s justice will be served when any wicked person, any evil doer is killed. After all, that is what wicked, evil people deserve. So, if the argument is valid for Osama Bin Laden, then it should be equally valid for any other wicked, evil person (so determined by the revealed will of God).
Is it fair to consider why some in the world refer to the USA and our western allies as the “Great Satan”? Their argument is that western culture is rife with sin, great sins that offend God. These sins are legal, accepted, protected, and even celebrated in our society. Homosexuality, adultery, abortion (murder), drunkenness, fornication, greed, pornography, etc. populate a list of the sins we have embraced culturally. When God looks down on us it is fair to ask, “What does He see?” and “When will His Justice be served on us?”
When the World Trade towers collapsed in NY, many around the world celebrated the event as a blow against the sinful enemy of God. In their mind justice was served and God was pleased. Now, when the likes of Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden are killed, we celebrate and declare that the justice of God has been served. Is God pleased… with us?
Is America the righteous arm of God meting out justice against the wicked of the world? Or is America more and more embracing evil in our own great and wicked sins, terrible abominations in the sight of God? Let’s be honest. Does a government that protects / promotes homosexuality and fornication, allows / even funds the murder of children in the womb, permits and protects pornography / and in some instances prostitution (Nevada), can this government claim to be the righteous arm of God against its enemies?
If God can raise up and use a sinful nation to punish evil doers around the world, then can God not also use an evil man (or men) to punish sinful nations? If we can justify ourselves to “take out” Libya’s strong man for his evil deeds, then can someone else be justified to do the same against an American president that endorses the murder of children born alive after a botched abortion? The legs of the lame are not equal.
Who are we to determine when the justice of God is being served against an evil doer? It is true that God’s justice will be served. No evil doer will escape. But, the difference between the true justice of God – and our “view” of God’s justice is in the fact that God’s justice will be impartial. We, on the other hand, can only see God’s justice against our enemies. We are blind to recognize that the same sword that will fall on our enemies can also fall on us.
I love my country and I am glad to be an American, a citizen of the United States of America. But, I fear for my country when I see how our culture is becoming increasingly tolerant of sin. I fear the consequences that will inevitably result from our nation moving further and further away from faith and trust in God, our Creator. If the justice of God is served when the Bin Ladens of this world are punished, then the justice of God will also be served when payment for the godless, evil sins of our people come due.
When we dare to invoke the “justice of God” against evil men in the world, we admit that there is a God who will punish evil. Do we admit that the same God can punish us, for our evil? The Word of God is a two-edged sword and can cut in both directions; not just against our enemies, but against us when we become enemies of God due to our sins.
Let me close with a passage from Romans 1. Herein we learn that God’s wrath has been revealed against ALL ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Further, a detailed description of the depravity of sinful men is given. Ask yourself, “Who does this description fit?” and tremble at the prospect of the righteous justice of God being served… to us.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness;
19 because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse:
21 because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves:
25 for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due.
28 And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful:
32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practise them.Romans 1:18-32
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8 Responses to “When God’s Justice Is Served”
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Thanks for the article, Alan. I was thinking about this all day, and trying to formulate some thoughts on the subject, but found your article and thought you did an excellent job of articulating some of the things I was thinking about.
It is sad to think that Christians celebrate the destruction of a human life in the name of their country, justifying it by naming it “evil”, without contemplating the fact that judgment on our own “righteous nation” by God would be completely justified by the same standards…
This is an excellent and thought provoking article. I also have been thinking about these concepts since reading the news in the early hours of the morning. I appreciate the succinct and direct nature of the article. I believe it took courage to write it and courage to post it. Thank You!
A very excellent article and one that needs some circulation among all men. Thanks, Alan.
It is easy for men to declare that justice is done when it suites and satisfies their goals and aims. They are blind to their own sins and faults and would never think of the justice that is due them for their own sins.
Laws must be made to protect the innocent and punishment is part of those laws. Those who break the law must be punished if anyone is to live in peace. What we must be careful about is not to celebrate and rejoice when those who do evil are punished for their evil. We should feel very sorry for such wicked people who have the desire to carry out evil deeds when they are finally made to pay the ultimate price by forfeiting their life now, and in eternity.
“Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked,” (Isaiah 33:11)
Is God happy when the wicked man “pays” for his wickedness? Does it give God a sense of pleasure when the evil man is killed for his evil actions? Is God shouting with glee right now over the death of Osama Bin Laden? I think not.
Undoubtedly, God mourns over the loss of the wicked as He always has. I believe it grieves God at is heart when men turn away from Him and become servants of Satan,(Genesis 6:6) What a tragic loss!
Christians need to be careful that they don’t get carried away and swept up in the frenzy of the world as they celebrate the death of this truly evil man.
You said, “Was it the “justice of God” that was served when Osama was killed by American soldiers? Some argue “yes””
I recently posted some similar thoughts in a note on my FB page and have learned from people’s responses that many feel like God gave permission for the government to execute wrongdoers (Romans 13), and therefore, they feel comfortable with the death of Bin Ladin and feel that it was justified. I can see the logic, but I’m not sure I can subscribe to it….
It seems like there is a difference between God allowing things such as this to take place – and even authorizing it – and us knowing that it is a part of His justice….. What are your thoughts on this?
@ Amy – I believe that God has authorized governments (Romans 13, et al). That is, God has appointed that there BE governments for the purpose of governing. Paul says that they do not bear the sword in vain and suggests that the role of government is to keep in check the evil doers. Now, the real question becomes “What happens when the government is populated by evil doers?”
Governments, like individuals (or should I say, the individuals in government) are subject to the will of God just as everyone else. God will judge all men, even those in government.
God does NOT approve of everything a government does, simply because He ordained governments to be. I submit that governments are obligated to know and follow the revealed will of God.
If governments are somehow independent of God’s will, then they can pretty much do whatever it is they want to do. I am not convinced that such is true.
The same people who love to argue that the government does not bear the sword of God in vain when it is executing an evil doer will turn around and deny that the same government can use the same sword to kill Christians. It is a two edged sword, is it not?
I have concluded the worldly governments, being run largely by worldly men, will use carnal and often brutal means to obtain their objectives. War is a tool of governments and it is / and always will be a brutal means of obtaining an end. As I Christian, I cannot in good conscience sign off on participating in such activities.
Thanks for taking the time to respond! A further question….
If Romans 13 authorizes the government to take the life of a wrongdoer, then what is wrong with the fact that they took the life of Osama Bin Ladin?
(I am asking this genuinely – not in a rhetorical or challenging way!)
And, if you do not believe that is what Romans 13 authorizes, then what do you suppose Paul means by saying, “But if you do evil, be afraid; for he [presumably the government] does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil”? In what way is the government God’s minister? And in what way is the government an avenger to execute wrath on evil-doers?
Thanks again for taking the time to respond. I’m looking forward to it.
We should have got a hint of this when a man without a country, without an army, with limited funding, was able to come INTO the last remaining superpower nation and kill thousands – and at a cost of only a handful of men. When Daniel prayed for the sins of his nation he expressed it as a “we” problem (ch. 9). Certainly the fall of the nation affected the righteous as well as the wicked. Our voices need to be heard by God in prayer – and by men as we seek to shine His light in this dark, depraved world.
Really liked this article – thanks for articulating this truth so clearly.