Eddie Ray Routh was found guilty this week in the death of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield. Littlefield's mother was quoted saying how grateful she was for the verdict and how God had been faithful to them by providing a guilty verdict.
I know God was faithful in this process, but I disagree with Mrs. Littlefield about how. God is not in the retribution or punishment business, as much as we would like that...especially when God's punishment is directed at our enemies, those who have harmed us or those we love. We, of course, don't imagine that God punishes us for misbehavior. God's grace is ours...
The radical hospitality of God means that God's faithfulness is sure--for Mrs. Littlefield and for Eddie Ray Routh and his family. God's love, mercy, and forgiveness are offered to all sides.
We don't have to decide whether or not we can live with that. That's God's reality.
It's good news. It just may be that we can't always hear it.
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