Editor: The death penalty has always been a topical issue. It has engendered and continues to engender much discussion worldwide, and in our country (SVG), this reality is no exception. {{more}}

I encourage you to prayerfully and rationally consider this topic to ensure that you find yourself on the right side of the ongoing argument – upholding the principles of Yahweh laid down for the preservation of society. Do not allow your higher powers of reason, conscience and morality to be clouded by false feelings of sympathy for criminals. For this will cause you to lack justice. Operate by Godly principle and not by unsanctified human passion.

Undoubtedly, final and eternal punishment belongs to God. This he will do for all sins, secret and public, but He has given men the authority to punish with temporal punishment in order to preserve social order or to deter. The death penalty is included in such punishments sanctioned by God. (Exodus 21:12, 14; Romans 13:1-6).

May God give us spiritual vision to uphold the principles that preserve our nation, for “where there is no vision, the people perish…” (Proverbs 29:18).

Where there is lack and delay of execution of justice, crime increases.

Ann-Marie John