Archive for the 'America' Category
10 Biblical Realities to Consider About Capital Punishment
For the first time since 2005, this past week, the state of Arkansas fulfilled the death penalty. Ledell Lee was found guilty of the 1993 death of 26 year-old Debra Reese of Jacksonville, Arkansas. In 1995, Lee was found guilty of striking Debra Reese three dozen times and strangling her to death. Ledell Lee was the first of eight prisoners on Arkansas’ death row scheduled for execution over an eleven-day period. Ledell Lee’s sentence was carried out and he was pronounced dead on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 11:56 p.m.
10 Biblical Realities to Consider About Capital Punishment
Christians should practice a biblical worldview about life and all the issues we encounter. The only way to do this is to always see issues through biblical lenses that will help us navigate to a biblical conclusion.
I want to keep these ten biblical realities as simple and clear as possible, not just for effective communication, but also to equip you to understand some of what the Bible says about capital punishment. However, this simplicity and clarity does not diminish the enormous complexity of this issue. As we wrestle through this issue, we do so with humility and honesty, not with arrogance or judgment toward anyone.
Here are ten biblical realities to keep in mind as we consider what is right or wrong about capital punishment and the administration of it by those in authority.
1. Every human life is made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27)
2. The Scripture does not permit the taking of any innocent human life. (Exodus 20:13)
3. Perfection in a judicial system is impossible due to our fallen human nature. (Genesis 3; Romans 3:10, 23)
4. According to Scripture, capital punishment is permissible if the evidence about the accused is more than clear, overwhelming, and just. (Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:4)
5. The justice system must be equitable and just regardless of race, class, or culture. (Deuteronomy 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; Leviticus 19:14)
6. Every person should always be treated with the highest dignity, including those who receive capital punishment, by administering it in the most benevolent way possible. (Genesis 1:27)
7. Eternal salvation is possible for anyone awaiting capital punishment, through their personal repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-13)
8. While closure may be reached emotionally for the victim’s family and friends, it is also a stark reminder that their loved one is gone for the rest of their lives on this earth. (James 4:13-15)
9. The loss is severe, painful, and final for the family who loses their loved one through capital punishment. (James 4:13-15)
10. Prayer for wisdom for those deciding the punishment of those proven guilty is imperative. Additionally, fervent, compassionate prayer should be offered for the families involved in this unfortunate and needless circumstance. (Romans 13:1-4; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 25; Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28, Mark 11:25)
Keeping these ten biblical realities in mind may help you as you work through this complex issue. Regardless of where you may end up in and through your thought processes, always remember: Life is a gift from God.
From the womb all the way through death itself, the dignity of human life should be held in the highest and most sacred manner.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry, and host of the Ronnie Floyd on Life and Leadership Today podcast.
To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd
contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.
Visit our website at http://ronniefloyd.com
Follow Dr. Floyd on Twitter and Instagram @ronniefloyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
The Spiritual State of Our Nation in 2017
There is not any one spiritual leader who has the inside track on the spiritual state of our nation in 2017. I am but one American pastor, but I would like to share from my eyes and heart the spiritual state of our nation in 2017.
Division Increases While Polarization Deepens
Division continues to increase in America while polarization deepens. Our nation is deeply polarized around differing worldviews, diverse political opinions, and by a proud, arrogant zeal to fight against one another. It is indisputable that threats against our national security still greatly exist, violence continues to erupt against one another endlessly, racial tensions are continually rising, and human life continues to be devalued daily. All the while, we are seeing human rights both idolized and deified.
Though Fear Grips, Faith Lives
America is a nation gripped with fear. Many in our nation fear the future, fear what America is becoming, and fear the outcomes of decisions being made today. While some fear where we may be going, others are equally fearful of what may happen if we do not take radical actions now. Simultaneously, faith lives in the hearts of many regarding our future because some decisions are addressing things that have been neglected for decades.
Church Responds Rather Than Leads
While all of these things and more are going on in America, the American church has become more responsive to our current situation rather than providing proactive leadership to America during this time. The church is not here to reflect the American culture, but to impact the American culture; even to the point of creating a unique path that is set forth by biblical authority, made clear with divine purpose, and focused on finishing our God-ordained assignment to make disciples of all the nations. As the church leads, we need to lead with love, not from the outside in, trying to impress the world, but from the inside out because it is who we genuinely are.
As I have recently stated, I believe people change the world.
Now What? We Must Rise to Action!
So, what is the actual spiritual state of our Union? The answer is both simple and similar.
We need to repent, come back to God, and put our trust in God alone. America needs a Great Spiritual Awakening.
We need to come together as a nation.
We need to refuse to be pulled apart by our carnal nature and egotistical pride. We need the church to refuse division within our family over tertiary matters so we can have the public integrity as one family to speak to and lead our nation in fundamental and central matters that are of far greater importance to the health of our nation.
We need to resolve that we will not walk in the same steps as this world; but the steps we take should be in the same footprints of our Sovereign God who orders our steps and loves us unconditionally.
We need to pray like it all depends on God, because in reality, I believe it does; but at the same time, find ways to work together like it all depends on us. By the way, thank God it does not depend on us.
Even while the prophet Jeremiah informed the people of God they would be in exile experiencing the judgment of God for seventy years in the godless nation of Babylon, God intervened to tell them through Jeremiah the words recorded in Jeremiah 29:11-13,
“For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”
God speaks; enough said.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry, and host of the Ronnie Floyd on Life and Leadership Today podcast.
To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd
contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.
Visit our website at http://ronniefloyd.com
Follow Dr. Floyd on Twitter and Instagram @ronniefloyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.