With the announcement by the President of the death of Osama Bin Laden; the question by many Christians has been raised: should we be rejoicing in the death of a murderer, or mourn for the eternal state of his soul?
While I believe whole heartedly that justice was served and many lives will be spared by his death; it is also a reality that he will eternally suffer torment in hell. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2Peter 3:9) It is not the desire of God that anyone spend eternity in eternal separation and torment and therefore should not be our desire. For this reason, we are commanded and moved by the Holy Spirit of God to proclaim the Gospel to every creature! (Matt. 28:18-20)
While I cannot celebrate the fact of Bin Laden’s eternal state; I am however relieved and glad that there will be no more deaths by his hand. I remember what Paul said concerning Alexander the Coppersmith: “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.” (2Tim 4:14,15) Alexander the Coppersmith blatantly and openly attacked the truth of the Gospel and led others astray because of this. Bin Laden’s message was that of hate, murder, anti-God, and Islamic radicalism. Therefore, his words and teachings did much more harm to mankind than merely genocide. I can then take comfort in the knowledge that the Lord “rewarded him according to his works.”
It is a fine line between longsuffering/compassion and desiring justice for evil deeds that lead many astray. As Christians we should rejoice in that many lives will now be spared and have opportunity to hear the Gospel; but it should also grieve us to know that Osama Bin Laden died without Christ. This news of his death should move us to do greater works for God in spreading the Gospel message to ALL THE WORLD; including the Middle East.
I hope this will be your prayer, and priority.
Stephen Underwood
Acts 20:24
www.stephenunderwood.net
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