The Death of Osama bin Laden
by Travis L Quertermous
From The Reminder, May 8, 2011
On Sunday night, May 1, 2011, President Barack Obama announced to the nation the death of “Public Enemy #1,” Osama bin Laden. He, of course, is the infamous mastermind of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, that murdered nearly 3000 Americans and demolished the World Trade Centers. Now, ten years later, bin Laden has paid for his terrible crime with his life. And let me say, for the record, I believe the Obama Administration did exactly the right thing in bringing justice to this murderous madman. In Romans 13:4, the apostle Paul wrote this on the purpose of civil governments: “For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” And our government did their Biblical duty in executing bin Laden; they did not “bear the sword in vain” in avenging the atrocity he committed on 9-11.
But I must admit the reaction of many of the American people disturbed me. Thousands of people poured into the streets celebrating the death of bin Laden. On the one hand, I can understand (even sympathize) with such a display of emotion, considering the heinous crimes this man was responsible for. But on the other hand, as a Christian, I was also deeply concerned, for such does not reflect a Biblical response. Consider what God said in Ezekiel 18:23, “Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord GOD, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?” No matter who it is, bin Laden or anyone else, it is always an unspeakable tragedy when someone dies lost and is condemned to eternal punishment.
So if God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, neither should God’s children. The wise king Solomon wrote, “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him” (Prov. 24:17-18). As Christians, let us learn to master our emotions and see the world from a Godly, Biblical perspective. Let us remember that it is the Almighty’s business to administer justice (Heb. 10:30); it is our business to love our enemies, pray for them, and do good to them that they might obey the gospel and be saved and that we might truly be children of our Heavenly Father (Matt. 5:43-45).