The Bible does not tell us to harbor fugitives who have deliberately committed a crime. Premeditated murder does not qualify a person to go into a "Sanctuary City". The Bible is very clear about who can go in.
Deuteronomy 19:4-7 “If someone kills another person unintentionally, without previous hostility, the slayer may flee to any of these cities to live in safety. For example, suppose someone goes into the forest with a neighbor to cut wood. And suppose one of them swings an ax to chop down a tree, and the ax head flies off the handle, killing the other person. In such cases, the slayer may flee to one of the cities of refuge to live in safety. “If the distance to the nearest city of refuge is too far, an enraged avenger might be able to chase down and kill the person who caused the death. Then the slayer would die unfairly, since he had never shown hostility toward the person who died. That is why I am commanding you to set aside three cities of refuge. “But suppose someone is hostile toward a neighbor and deliberately ambushes and murders him and then flees to one of the cities of refuge. In that case, the elders of the murderer’s hometown must send agents to the city of refuge to bring him back and hand him over to the dead person’s avenger to be put to death. Do not feel sorry for that murderer! Purge from Israel the guilt of murdering innocent people; then all will go well with you. Deut. 19:11-13 The Death Penalty “You must not convict anyone of a crime on the testimony of only one witness. The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. Deut. 19:15 Today we have forensics that can prove a persons whereabouts concerning a crime. Coupled with witnesses, a suspect can be prosecuted beyond the shadow of a doubt. But, what are the consequences? As of August 2017, capital punishment is legal in 31 states. According to the Death Penalty Information Center there were 2,902 people on Death Row in 2016 and only 20 people were executed. https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/19/us/death-penalty-fast-facts/index.html Did you hear about these executions? I didn't. I don't think any of the murderers running the streets heard about it either. Maybe executions should be televised. Not for entertainment purposes but, to make an example of those who think they have the right to take life away from anyone. Jesus spoke against and eye for an eye, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you. He was talking about being attacked when spreading the gospel. "For My names sake" is the key phrase. But if someone attacks you in your home, work place or school, do you just turn the other cheek? Don't we have the right to defend ourselves if we are minding our own business and going about our daily lives? There are many witnesses in public places so we can plead self defense. And what about those who were not able to defend themselves? Will they be avenged by the local, state or Federal authorities? Can we let them do their job and execute the guilty? Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But If You Do Wrong, Be Afraid, For Rulers Do Not Bear The Sword For No Reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:1-4 This is from the New Testament just to be clear. God is Love but He will still punish. For the Wages/ Reward/Payment for sin is death. Romans 6:23 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt. 10:28 There is a lack of fear towards God and His agents of wrath. Murders have the right to appeal a case and live in prison where they not only have a roof over their heads and a place to sleep, eat three times a day and get medical attention but, they can earn a degree while families mourn their lost loved ones. I've always said that we can judge but we do not condemn to hell. Now is the time for those who have multiple witnesses against them for murder, along with physical evidence, to be condemned to death. It is up to God whether or not He will condemn them to Hell.
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