Losers: 1st Degree, Premeditated Murderers

In the morning it happened that David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. And he wrote in the letter, saying, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die.”

2 Samuel 11:14-15 (NKJV)

I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison. The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the followers of the Way from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.

Acts 22:4-5 (NLT)

1st degree, premeditated murder is cold-blooded, calculated murder. It’s not a crazy, passionate mistake of a mad, sad heart unhinged by anger.

It’s an evil choice by a selfish mind… or (at best) a misdirected “sheep’s” mind… to further a nefarious desire.

Two eminent all-star Bible heroes were once premeditated murderers. Let’s examine them:

  • King David, ‘a man after God’s Own Heart’ (Acts 13:22 and 1 Samuel 13:14) set up the death of an honored soldier, so he could bed and wed a good man’s wife– which was surely a lustful, selfish choice (as some men “lose their minds” to a woman).

  • Paul, the zealous, selfless evangelist (whom God used to preach Jesus to the world) exampled a “misdirected sheep’s mind” by acting on the hate of his leaders (much like a hanging mob’s mentality).

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

Never pre-judge or write off anyone… even premeditated murderers. ‘Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand’ (Romans 14:4).

Sometimes, those we call “the WORST of sinners” can turn into the BEST of disciples.

Losers: 1st Degree, Premeditated Murderers (Part 31)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban