Greek Free Church - Perspective

February 13, 2006

The death penalty

Indonesian prosecutors have recently demanded that alleged Bali 9 ring-leader Andrew Chan be executed by firing squad for heroin smuggling.
 
His crime is sinister. He masterminded the plan to smuggle 8kg of heroin, worth an estimated $4 million, into Australia and threatened to kill members of the Bali 9 and their families when they tried to back out of the trafficking operation.
 
Under Indonesian law, Andrew Chan’s crime is punishable by death.
 
Now just imagine the Balinese Judge presiding over the case, after listening to all the evidence, accusations and the defense case, ruled that Chan was guilty as accused and handed down that sentence. He then got up out of his seat, stepped down to the box where Chan sat speechless, and said to Chan, “I’ll take your place” and proceeded to accept Chan’s punishment for the crimes committed, even though Chan deserved death. What amazing grace that would be if it occurred.
 
Similarly, under God’s sovereign law, we have all committed a crime that is punishable by death. We are all sinners, and for that, death is the ultimate consequence. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
 
But God sent his son Jesus Christ to act as a sacrifice for our sins. “Hey, I’m no Chan” you may say, but the Bible tells us “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10). The good news is that “yet while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). He loved us so much that He died for us even though we didn’t deserve it. We deserved death, but he chose to give us life.
 
If we must accept His divine sacrifice, repent of our sins, and accept Jesus as Lord of our lives our sentence will be quashed and we will be given life – eternity with God in Heaven.
 
Unfortunately for Chan, he will most likely face the death penalty for his crime. God’s gift of salvation is also available to him if he chooses it. If he repents, God’s love is big enough to accept and forgive him. He may receive the death penalty here on earth, but God’s grace can give him eternity in Heaven.
 
God’s gift of forgiveness and salvation is also available to you. Have you done something you are not proud of? Perhaps something less sinister than Chan’s crime, or maybe even more sinister than his crime? You too can be forgiven. Accept this gift today before it’s too late. “Today is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

UPDATE: Andrew Chan has since been sentenced to death by firing squad.