As my TV show was interrupted Sunday night with the news that Osama bin Laden had been killed by our troops I felt a mixture of disbelief and relief. This was a man that had orchestrated the attacks that killed so many innocent Americans on 9/11. He has been responsible for the deaths of countless others throughout the world. He lived as though he thought he would never have to answer for those atrocities. The struggle that I have and several have voiced to me is, how should we react to these recent events. God established the value of human life when in the Law He established the principle of a life for a life. If you took the life of someone your life would be demanded of you. I am pretty sure that we should not react with cheers but we should probably smile, breathe a sigh of relief and thank God for once again being faithful and bringing about justice.
God is a God of justice but He is also a God of grace. Today, those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ now live under His grace. The justice for our offenses was served at the cross and we are free. Should we use this as a license to live any way we choose? No...gratitude for God allowing Christ to pay our penalty should cause us to desire to live a life that pleases Him and brings Him glory and honor. Our greatest task is to continuing to grow and allow our lives to be transformed into His likeness.