ARELI CARBAJAL ESCOBAR

ABOUT ME:

Hello Everyone. I’m just an ordinary guy that’s in need of support as I continue my fight to get my conviction overturned so that I can have a fair chance of proving my innocence. If you desire to support me as a pen-pal or your friendship, you’ll quickly discover that I’m a great listener, loyal, mild temper and that I have a great sense of humor. But its not just about me, my desire is for you guys to also benefit from our correspondence. While life’s circumstances broke me, God has restored me. Through my experiences, I hope I can help others and in the process of sharing my testimony, I can glorify Him. Besides God’s work in me, my family has been another source of strength to continue my fight. And my hope is for you to contribute with your friendship. So please send me a letter or an e-message because I would love to hear from you.

WRITINGS:

Should a Christian Support The Death Penalty?

Not long ago, a Christian friend that volunteers for Bridges To Life, asked me if I believed in the death penalty as a Christian. So I replied with my personal experience explanation and biblical reasons why I don’t. She then replied by saying that she basically agreed with both of my explanations. For the record, up to this point, I only had my personal reasons why I couldn’t support it. But I’m glad that she made me consider the biblical perspective because as a Christian, that should trump our personal reasons.

Months later, during one of the classes I’m taking, the subject came up again inadvertently. The one giving the class quoted Genesis 9:5 (NKJV) „Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man’s brother I will require the life of man.“

Clearly, this verse supports the death penalty and no wonder that every Christian that supports it, goes to the Old Testament. Not wanting to get off topic from the class we were taking, I kept quiet. However, another student did object but went to the same verse. The guy teaching the class also didn’t want to get off topic so he told the guy that could discuss it further one on one.

However, I’m one to test opinions of interpretation, especially if they are contrary to mine because I truly obey God’s Word. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, a guy under a death sentence is going to be bias, but I assure you that I’m not. That’s why I’m sharing this message so that I can get feed back and if convinced by scripture, will change my stance on the death penalty.

Starting my test, whenever an opinion rests on one Bible verse, it raises flags automatically for me. Since we already established that Gen. 9:5 does support the death penalty, let’s look at more examples. Exodus 21:12-17 says, „He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. However, if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint for you, a place where he may flee. But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die. And he who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death. And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.“ It continues in 21:22-25 „If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.„

In case you don’t know, when Jesus came into the world, He established a higher standard for a Christian. I won’t go deeply into that but taking that eye for an eye standard from the Old Testament, let’s go to Matthew 5:38-41 „You have heard that it was said, ‚An eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth.‘ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.“ Not convinced of the higher standard? Let’s continue with Matt. 5:43-44 „You have heard that it was said, ‚You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.‘ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.“ So ask yourself, can you kill your enemies and say that you love them?

I listed above some of the offenses that qualified for the death penalty so now let’s look at how Jesus dealt with them. Matthew 19:18 „He said to Him, “ Which ones?“ Jesus said, „You shall not murder,‘ ‚You shall not commit adultery,‘ ‚You shall not steal,‘ ‚You shall not bear false witness,‘ So clearly, they still stand. However, in John 8:3-11 we read of a woman caught in adultery not getting condemned. The Word says, “ Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, „Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?“ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.“ So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, „He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.“ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, „Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?“ She said, „No one, Lord.“ And Jesus said to her, „Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.„

Its no way to know if their sins were also qualified for a death sentence but the point is, we all have sinned. And as sinners, we are all under a spiritual death sentence.

My last point is found in Matthew 18:21-35 „Then Peter came to Him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?“ Jesus said to him, „I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants, And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‚Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. ‚Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him,and forgave him his debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‚Pay me what you owe!‘ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‚Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.‘ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‚You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?‘ And his master was angry, delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. „So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from the heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.„

As you can see, the idea here is that as Christians, we have received forgiveness of our sins and just as we were forgiven, we should forgive each other as well.

And for icing on the cake, let’s go to Matthew 5:7 „Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.“ And that my Christian brothers and sisters is why I believe that as a Bible believing Christian, I can’t support the death penalty. But feel free to share your opinions if you don’t agree and or, if you agree with my interpretation or caused you to change your opinion.

You all take care and may God bless you and all those you love.

Sincerely,
Areli Escobar #00999564

GET IN TOUCH:

Areli Carbajal Escobar
TDCJ #00999564
P.O. Box 660400
Dallas, Tx. 75266
USA

Or online at SECURUS using the contact number #05914340