After getting over the shock of Sunday’s revelation that Osama Bin Laden had been killed, I ran to Facebook to make sure that all my friends were aware of the fact. As I logged on, I noticed that most of my friends already heard about it and there was already a serious division on what to make of his death. Generally, there were two camps. The first camp can be broadly described as jubilant; they were the ones chanting USA in the streets and praising our troops for a job well done. The second group developed as a reaction to the first group. This group was quick to point out that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked and Osama was no exception. Funny thing is, I heard both of these opinions from various Christians that I know well.
What should the Christian response be to the news of Osama’s death? Is it right to express happiness over it? Should all Christians come together and mourn the loss of a creature of God?
I believe it is acceptable to rejoice. Bin Laden was certainly a great evil in the world. He killed 3,000 innocent Americans on 9/11 for no more of a reason than the fact that they were Americans. There is no denying the guilt of Bin Laden’s deeds. But how can I justify rejoicing when a man’s life has been taken? Didn’t God call us to love our enemies?
I can rejoice, and indeed I believe that all Christians can rejoice, knowing that in some small way, justice has been served. God is not only a God of love; He is a God of holiness and justice. The Bible is full of verses that deal with the importance of justice in God’s eyes. Nearly everywhere in the Bible one can find talk of God’s final Day of Judgment and His justice. And believers are called to rejoice in this judgment. It will be the day in which perfect justice will finally be on display. It will be the day when God pours out mercy on His followers and wrath on His enemies.
Now it must be admitted that human justice can never match God’s justice. Certainly that fact is on display here. Osama didn’t even receive a trial for his crimes; a step most would associate with true justice. Also the celebration in the streets cannot reasonably be assumed to be 100% pious. Indeed, I am sure there are many rejoicing right now purely out of a fulfilled desire for revenge. Revenge is not a display of God’s justice. It is sinful perversion of justice in which punishment is not sought as the fruit of evil but when punishment is sought for the purpose of self-gratification.
So Christians, mourn the rebellion of Osama Bin Laden against God and mourn the tragic mistakes he made in this life. But also rejoice and celebrate at the display of justice in which wickedness was punished as wickedness.
Tyler Holmes
Proverbs 14:15
