Life, Death and Love

In 1985 Australia demonstrated bipartisan opposition for capital punishment for crime and banned it.  One reason why this policy and more strict sentences have been widely panned is they have not been proved to deter crime.  Whether or not a sentence or punishment deters future crime is of little consequence when a legal system exists to uphold existing laws, protect the innocent and hold criminals to account.

Under the Law of Moses there were many infractions that required the life of an offender.  This served the purpose of revealing how terrible and awful the offence was before the living God with Whom the children of Israel entered into a covenant with.  While the administering of the sentence may have served as a deterrent to some people, the Law was to be kept in the fear of the LORD.  It is one thing to fall into the hands of men who can kill the body, but it is another altogether to fall into the hands of the living God Who is able to cast a soul into hell forever.

It would be wonderful to be "hard on crime" while being "soft on criminals," but this does not do justice to the rigours of the law, victims, the accused or convicted.  In a country where there is no crime possible that warrants a death sentence, it may prove difficult to convey the severity of crimes committed.  The Law of Moses did a very good job of showing sin is incredibly sinful and held forth the righteous character of God.  In a secular society we can learn much from God's word about the righteous treatment of our fellow man, the requirement of restitution to the victim--double what was stolen--and submission by servitude rather than stealing.

It is amazing how Jesus the Son of God put on human flesh, not to destroy the law, but to fulfill.  He who loves God and his neighbour as himself fulfills the Law of Moses that was nailed to the cross with Jesus.  Jesus kept the Law but was murdered contrary to the Law, and through His sacrifice followers of Jesus are called to a higher standard:  to love one another as Jesus loves us.  By His grace we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to obey God and honour the laws of the land, not out of fear of condemnation, but out of love for God who loves us.  Love is a greater deterrent to evil law could ever be, and Jesus gives us the grace and power to walk in love towards all.