The Tribune

By Minister Keith Evans

One of the most conspicuous commands within the sphere of God’s word is the direct instruction for capital punishment for murderers.

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, in my opinion, is at a unprecedented precipice as it relates to the number of homicides unresolved. By that I mean convicted murderers are not being punished according to the Bible. Ecclesiastes 8:11: “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men fully set in them to do evil.”

To put it in layman’s term, the law of the land must execute offenders to send a strong deterrent message to future potential murderers. When a government drags its feet in carrying out its God-given duty to punish offenders this leads to others with the proclivity to do wrong repetitiously.

The government must have the moxie, gumption and fortitude to carry out God’s plan. The Bible and capital punishment are cohesively and uniformly aligned. The purpose for capital punishment isn’t to kill murderers. The purpose for capital punishment is to stop potential killers from committing murder. That’s the nature of God’s word which is a buffer against maniacal behaviour perpetrated by lawless individuals on the hard-working civilian.

1 Timothy 1: 8-9: “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers.”

The Bible endorses capital punishment. With a population of just over 390,000 we had 91 murders in 2018. This number is just too astronomical for such a small nation, especially one what to be God-fearing. Three murders so far from the time this article is being written is an ominous sign for 2019 already. The effect of unresolved murders continues to be a conundrum for the country, which depends heavily on tourism.

The Bible is very clear on this topic, right? It is incontrovertible and tenable in nature. We cannot contravene what is obviously clear. Murder is rancid and putrid. How many mothers have to rush to the morgue to identify their dead son or daughter? How many times do we have listen to the news with all of these senseless murders? The government needs to be assertive and aggressive in it’s battle against crime. It should be paramount for them to do what God says.

After Noah’s flood, or the diluvial period, God gave humanity a presage in a form of a rainbow. Then God gave to Noah and his family a manifesto that predates all governments; past, present, and future.

Genesis 9:6: “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man.” God gave man government or a structure in order that there be no anarchy, nor mutiny. There has to be structure and order. Murderers must be punished, and by capital punishment. Ninety-one lives taken in 2018 is disconcerting and wrong.

1 Peter 2:13-14: “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.” God gave man autonomy to execute criminals, according to Peter.

Paul in Romans 13:1-4: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to there for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”

I will close with that! For more information, message me at keithevans242@gmail.com or kenazevans242@gmail.com.