Authorities charged a 24-year-old illegal immigrant Cristhian Bahena Rivera with first degree murder in the death of 20-year-old Mollie Tibbetts. Mollie’s family reported her missing on July 19th when she failed to show up for work. Mollie, who was dogsitting at her boyfriend’s house, went jogging on July 18th near her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa. Reportedly Rivera saw her jogging, attacked her, then buried her under corn stalks in a near-by Iowa cornfield.
How do we respond as Christians to this horrific news?
Our Theology Stays the Same
The horrific nature of this crime does not change the responsibilities we have as Christians. Regardless of the circumstances, God expects followers of Christ to respond in God-honoring ways. Paul writes, “Whether you eat, drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31). The whatever you do would also include responding to the unjust, senseless murder of an Iowa college student.
As a Christian, is that our knee-jerk reaction? Upon hearing this news, what is your initial reaction? For good or bad, because of the opportunity to respond so quickly on social media, we know the answer to that question for many Christians.The horrific nature of this crime does not change the responsibilities we have as Christians. Regardless of the circumstances, God expects followers of Christ to respond in God-honoring ways. Share on X
Five Verses that Must Rule Our Response
There are many Bible verses that apply to this circumstance and many like it. However, these five will help give us guardrails as we seek to honor God in this circumstance.
Be angry and do not sin (Ephesians 4:26-27)
As those at our heart level who have received a new ruling disposition in Christ, our response must model Christlikeness. In this regard, Paul says to be angry but do not sin. Anger is an appropriate response. This young girl was brutally murdered and her body dumped in a field. Anger is absolutely appropriate.
How do we get angry but not sin? The key is understanding the role anger should play for the Christian. Anger is an emotion that initiates a response. It is an initial motivator for the next response. The emotion is not meant to linger. As Paul says, “Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil” (Eph 4:27). Appropriately then, anger gets you moving and then subsides as you respond accordingly to the need.
The question for our anger response should be: What do I do next that honors God? Anger gets you moving but your heart must guide you down the right track. The next move must not be sin. The follower of Christ’s goal remains even in anger – to honor God. Therefore, as Paul says, be angry but do not sin.
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth (Ephesians 4:29-30)
In the same passage, Paul challenges us to not say anything that fails to build up another person. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…” (Eph 4:29-30).
So whatever we say in response to the tragic news and absolutely unjust murder should build up those who hear us or read us on social media. This is hard. Our responsibility to our listeners means that we may need to slow down our response time. Our first reaction or thought may not be the one we want to share on social media. Instead, we ask ourselves before speaking or posting, “Will this statement encourage, edify, or build up the listener or reader?”So whatever we say in response to the tragic news and absolutely unjust murder should build up those who hear us or read us on social media. Share on X
You are salt and you are light (Matthew 5:12-16)
In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He refers to His followers as salt and light. In both instances, making a positive difference in the society in which one is placed is the goal. Salt impacts the thing upon which it is found. Light penetrates darkness. Jesus said, “As a city on a hill” our light should shine before men.
Concerned about this very thing, the Apostle Paul asks for prayer so that he also could live up to Jesus’ standard. He wrote, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Col 4:5-6).
As we respond both at the attitudinal level and in the spoken or written word, our responsibility to be salt and light forces us to consider what is said. As we communicate, the bi-factor goals of salt and light should permeate and adjudicate what flows out of us.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 13:9-21)
Before the discussion on how to respond to evil, the Bible says plainly, “Let love be without hypocrisy” (Rom 13:9). How the love of Christ is demonstrated through us by our attitude, words, and action reveals our hearts. God’s standard is consistency – which includes kindness, patience, and not repaying evil for evil.
What does this mean in this case? For the Christ-follower, our response must be limited to what is good. As a Christian, we should reflect what God desires and values. That does not mean we shirk back from wanting justice. In this case, Rivera is responsible by his own admission for Mollie’s death and should stand trial accordingly.
However, the trial and punishment both are not the Christian’s responsibility. Specifically, government is given that role (Rom 13:1-7). Therefore, we let government do that for which it is responsible. In the meantime, we do what we are responsible for as well – love creatively all those involved (cf., Rom 13:8-10). An appropriate response here would be gratitude for government rather than announcing what government should do or what you would like to do personally.
Jesus love the world and desires for them to be saved (John 3:16-17)
God sent Jesus into the world to save sinners. This includes you, me, and Rivera. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). God’s intention – as well as our own – is a redemptive intention. Jesus came to save sinners. Rivera fits that category.
Therefore, we can not hate him because of his horrific sin to the extent that we do not desire his salvation. No. We must pray for this man’s soul. As he goes to prison as a result of his confession to the murder, our desire should be that he hears the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and gets saved.
Does he serve it? NO! Did you deserve it? NO! He is no different than any of us. We all deserve hell; yet, God graciously sent Jesus into the world to save sinners.
A Personal Note
The story of Mollie Tibbetts’ death is heart-wrenching. May God grant her parents, friends, and community His deepest comfort. May the Christians in that area respond creatively with the mercy and compassion of Christ.
Any one of us could look at the immigration system, the government’s response, and the spewed rhetoric by politicians and find fault. However, this can not be our focus. Our response must be better, richer, deeper, and more selfless.
When and where we can participate in the political process, of course, be responsible with your citizenship.
Regardless of the political issues and our own personal opinions of those, as followers of Christ, our response must be guided by Christ and His Word. Our attitude, words, and actions must remain faithful to our greater Christ-honoring purposes. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. We can not be so overcome by evil that we forget the perpetrator is part of the lost for which Jesus died.Regardless of the political issues and our own personal opinions of those, as followers of Christ, our response must be guided by Christ and His Word. Our attitude, words, and actions must remain faithful to our greater… Share on X
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