“The Government does not bear the sword in vain; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.” (Romans 13:4) 

In a recent sermon I preached on the 6^th commandment (Thou Shalt Not Murder), I made some statements about capital punishment.  It’s no secret that I am supportive of the death penalty, as is Scripture.  I’ve [1] written about this in the past; and in my sermon I reiterated a viewpoint I’ve held for many years.  The only problem I have with the death penalty is that I think it should be expanded to include other criminals besides murderers.  I mentioned in my sermon one such group that tops the list (in my mind) for capital punishment:  child molesters.  If you rape a child….you should be executed as a criminal against the state, and a general menace to society.  Some crimes are worthy of prison.  Some are worthy of a fine.  And some are worthy of death.           

Before I continue, I need to clarify what I mean.  I’m not saying to execute the 18 year old who sleeps with his 16 year old girlfriend.  It’s sin.  It’s wrong.  But it isn’t worthy of death.  Nor am I saying to execute one who isn’t clearly guilty on the matter.  But I am saying that if a man has raped a child.  And there is overwhelming evidence proving his guilt.  Then let him be put to death.  One such example is the case of Chester Stiles.           

The Stiles Case has garnered national attention and a manhunt is currently underway to apprehend him.  Chester Stiles raped a 3 year old girl.  Raped…….a 3 YEAR OLD GIRL !!!!!!!!!!  And if that’s not bad enough (and it is)…..he also video taped it.  The tape, now in police custody, has been shown in an edited version to try and find the girl.  She has been located and is now 7 years old.  But Stiles remains on the loose.  (If you see him, call the police).  But what should happen to him once he’s caught?           

I fear that this case could wind up leading to vigilante justice. I hope it doesn’t.  I would rather see the courts convict the pervert.  But unfortunately our justice system today isn’t always reliable.  And even if he is convicted, he won’t get what he truly deserves.  Again, I need to make a clarification.  As a Christian, I don’t wish eternal Hell  on anyone.  I would hope that Stiles would repent of his breathtaking depravity and turn to Jesus Christ.  Then I hope he gets a speedy (and I mean speedy) trial in which he is quickly convicted.  (They do have video tape evidence after all).  Then, I wish he would be sentenced to an equally speedy death.  It won’t happen.  But it should happen.  Here’s my rationale.           

 I’ll admit that I sometimes bristle over these cases more than others.  I have two daughters of my own; so when I hear of perverts hurting little girls I have little patience with them.  But putting emotions aside and examining the issue with cool headed rationality—I’m still convinced that such crimes deserve death.  Let’s face it.  Not all crimes are the same.  You MIGHT rehab a drug dealer.  You MIGHT rehab a thief.  You MIGHT rehab a mugger.  But I have serious doubts that you could ever rehab someone who has delved low enough to rape a child.  Even if you could rehab them….what are they going to do in our society?  Do you want him working at the grocery store?  Do you want him living down the street from your kids?  Do you want him spending the rest of his life in prison being fed, clothed, and provided for by your tax dollars?  Or do you think (like I do) that he’s done a crime worthy of death….and should be summarily put to death?           

 I don’t believe I’m being one bit harsh on the matter.  Some might say I lack grace.  I would simply say that I uphold justice.  Grace, by definition, is undeserved favor.  There’s a time for grace.  And there’s a time for unrelenting justice.  When a man rapes a 3 year old girl, he deserves justice, and has forfeited any consideration for grace.   Some might say “what would Jesus do?”  The answer:  Jesus will cast him into eternal Hell.  Capital punishment is NOTHING compared to the wrath that God will pour out on such a specimen in eternity.  God (who inspired Romans 13 above), would undoubtedly call for justice to be served…both now, and forevermore. 

Some crimes are worthy of death, and Chester Stiles has committed one.  Our nation would be a much better place if we took God’s Law more seriously, and applied God’s Standard more consistently.  Murderers should be executed.  So should those who brutally rape children.  Catholic priests who sodomize little boys should be executed.  Sleaze bag uncles who molest nieces should be executed.  Step-dads who rape step-children should be executed.  School teachers who molest students should be executed.  Chester Stiles….and everyone like him….should be executed. 

We, as a country, tolerate way…WAY too much perversion.  Our nation suffers.  Our society suffers.  Civilization suffers.  Children suffer.  Other victims suffer.  And the perpetrator in such cases should also suffer……they should suffer the greatest temporal consequence we can give them.  They should suffer death….and then fall into the hands of the Living God, to receive their ETERNAL allotment, on the other side….. “For it’s a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31)