“I will mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy.” ~ Anonymous
“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” ~Martin Luther King Jr
How do we look at it when a wicked man dies? We can learn that God is still sovereign and that He allows an evil man to be put to death as He sees fit. Its OK when a wicked man who has killed many is put to death. Its a tragedy when a soul perishes without Jesus and forgiveness. There is a combination of both joy and somberness that we have to find. There is a good chance that Bin Laden is in hell. I cannot rejoice about that.
Hello and welcome! I'm Sylvia Britton, and I've been online since 1996 offering encouragement and help in the spirit of Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 at Christian Homekeeper. CHK is the original Homekeeping site on the internet
I live in the Middle East and am originally from “The West”. I subscribe to this blog and the wise words of Mrs Britton.
In this Arabian land where we live, there were cries of jubilation from the locals, yes,- the locals, when this death was announced. Many people here were ashamed to call themselves “Arab” after this man was linked to all these terribly wicked deeds.
I cannot rejoice over an evil man’s death either. I feel it is inappropriate to publish pictures of the dead body. I am however, relieved, that he is no longer on this Earth…
Thank you so much for commenting here. I had wondered how the Arab world was really reacting to this. I think I’d feel the same way.
Sylvia, you posted exactly what is on my heart. Because I cannot rejoice over an evil man’s death does NOT mean that I mourn it. My first feelings about the news were measured relief (I know that this war is far from over and may now be escalated)–and my first thoughts were that eternity is a very long time and is surely not the one the man was expecting…
We are all born as enemies of God and, apart from His grace, would have the same fate as those who commit the most dastardly evil.
Thank you, Terri. I appreciate your comments and the reminder that we’re all enemies of God until we confess that Christ is Lord and repent.
I couldn’t agree more with your view. My first thought when I heard that Bin Laden was killed was to be aware that his soul had no more chances to accept Christ’s salvation.
Did he deserve to die? Yes, a thousand times. Can I rejoice in his death? No, if I consider where his soul is right now.
I was upset that the news media showed crowds rejoicing – not long ago the other crowds were rejoicing because of Israel’s sorrows – how are we different?
That is a great reminder, Sheila. We should be different in our responses and in our beliefs!
Rejoice? not a chance, relief? some, but in agreement with all comments, I think of Ez:18:23 and 32. My dearest Savior has “NO joy in the death of the wicked…rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?”…”For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies, declares the Lord God, “Therefore, repent and LIVE.” This before the cross, and what an awesome, loving, just, God. After the cross, John 3:16 is living and forever sealed. Our work, only to believe, repent and be saved. I think of the hymn in part, “Amazing love how can it be? that thou my God shouldest die for me…” A lost, poor soul is dead forever, unless…
Carmela
Carmela,
Those verses in Ezekiel were really on my mind this week, along with NT passages that tell us the same thing about the Lord.
Those verses make me think of this:Its not a contradiction to say that God doesn’t delight in the death of anyone, even the wicked and that God does delight in executing His righteous judgment, even if that means the death of a wicked man.
When we delight in God’s righteous judgment being done, it doesn’t mean we are euphoric, jumping for joy and boasting. It means we realize God is being God and are thankful for it, not that we are happy or joyful that a man was killed.
Thank you for your comments, I appreciate them!
Dear Sylvia,
Thank you for your beautiful quote.
I have been disturbed watching the reaction of people in this country who celebrate the death of bin Laden. It reminds me of what we have heard or seen in the movies when the Roman people would find pleasure in seeing death and torture.
I have been receiving your blog entries for a few years now. I have printed many things of yours, but rarely comment. My daughter is Wardee, and of course you know how much she respects and admires you (and I do too!). Thank you!
Martha
Martha,
Its so good to hear from you, I hope you’ll comment more! any time you’d like.
Thank you for your comments here. Its disturbing to me too and I have struggled with how to express it without sounding some way I didn’t intend. I hope I’ve done that. Your comments give me encouragement.
I agree with everything you’ve said Jessica. I think its pretty much what I’ve said. Its not a bad thing when evil men are put to death. Its part of God’s sovereign plan. I can be3 thankful and I am. But I can’t be euphoric and rejoice about a death, no matter whose it is.
My husband is a deployed soldier right now. I understand your argument about people without Christ will go to Hell…it is a sad day when we realize someone dies without Christ, but we are at war and have been in WAR for almost 10 years. This war is real and I understand that unsaved people are MANY!!
I will not mourn the death of an enemy of God. He alone strayed millions of people and as a result –many will go to Hell because of him.
I pray for our leaders and for world peace, but let’s not forget what these people (including this unsaved man on 9/11). I do not tolerate the evil pushed by this man while he was alive.
Yes, I understand the only thing different between Osama and me —is that I have received Christ as my Savior.
Quotes from MLK, Jr?? He was against war, but WAR is needed, war is human history, and war will eventually consume this world. What if it didn’t have the revolution or the civil war??? There are many examples…and many examples in the Bible about war.
I believe this to be a downfall of America. One, because we have fallen away to what the Bible says…and two, by not reading the Bible, we forget that God is also a just person and will destroy and can destroy anyone he chooses; especially the wicked. God is Love…but that is not the only message we have in the Bible.
Praying for LOST SOULS here and abroad.
I agree! Amen! It’s another soul lost to the kingdom!
Thank you for sharing that. I borrowed the quote to blog on it also.
Amen!