Who needs God?

These days, it is rare to see a day go by without reading a piece of news about someone getting killed due to a religious protest/riot or a suicide bombing.

One of the reasons often cited is that God's name has been blasphemed, and so the blasphemer must be put to death.

Yes, in the Old Testament, death is prescribed for the blaphemer (Lev 24:15,16). But those laws are no longer relevant under the New Testament of Jesus Christ. The 'law' of Jesus is characterised by love and grace. We are to forgive. We are to allow God to punish the evildoer, not us. This is evident in the way Jesus dealt with the harlot (John 8:1-11). Grace so amazing!

So why are so consumed with extreme zeal so as to defend God's name? Why not allow God to defend His own Name? Or do we think He is too weak to defend Himself? Is He asking us to help Him instead? No! God is God because He is all powerful and yet He is all merciful. He can't be God if He cannot defend His own Name. Does God need us to help Him to do battle for Him?

No. God does not need us. It is we who need Him. God will still be God even if we don't exist.

To me, God alone should be left to defend Himself. We are to proclaim His love and greatness. But if we act to take the life of another soul, we play the role of a judge. Who are we to judge? God is the only judge. Let Him alone administer the punishment.

So what is our task? We are to love even the vilest of sinners. That's what Jesus Himself did. Love so unbelievable...but true!