How should we respond to the death of Osama bin Laden?

By now you may have heard enough from both sides of the issue. We have seen the triumphant cheers in the streets in the US and the anger from some in Pakistan. We have had scripture quoted on both sides of the issues stating it is OK to rejoice when the wicked fall and suggesting that God does not rejoice at the death an interment to hell of any man. Allow me to give you my two cents worth.

The way I read the scripture it is all about relationship and heart attitude. How can a murderer, adulterer, and liar like David be called a “man after God’s own heart” it was not about actions but heart motive. Don’t get me wrong, Paul made it very clear that we were not to use grace as a reason to sin all the more (Romans 6:1,2) but God is always looking at our heart motives. So what does that mean for the response to the death of Osama bin Laden?

1) Rejoice if your motive is to rejoice because the murder of some will now end and this will draw a quick end to the war. Rejoice in the potential peace that will hopefully come. Do not rejoice out of vengeance, arrogance, or pride. None of these things belong to the heart of a person of faith. God is not honored by vengeance, arrogance, or pride. In fact God will resist us if we walk in pride.
2) God does not rejoice in the death of a person who has gone to hell. I know you are saying how can you judge and say he went to hell. Jesus said we shall know them by their fruit. Well then we could say the same of our leaders, one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. I understand all of that the difference being Osama bin Laden dedicated himself to the belief in some other god other than our God. The god of Islam is not the God of the Bible. I will leave it at that for now. The differences between the two Gods are a longer discussion than this blog allows. Continuing on with my thought: hell was not created for man and God desires for none to perish and for any man, woman, or child to reject Him grieves His heart.

If your heart’s attitude is rejoicing in that lives might be saved then rejoice. If it is pride you can’t bless God with fleshly motives or attitudes. We are not like the world, we are the light of the world and salt to preserve and bring out the flavor. Wickedness brings grief whether it is in a live person or a dead one but love brings life. Bring life today.