Mike’s Musings …

Will It Ever Stop?

   This morning’s news reports yet another shooting: two doctors and two others in a Tulsa, OK hospital. Just over a week ago, the senseless and heartless killing of nineteen children and two adults in a school in Uvalde, TX happened. Such violence seems a daily occurrence in our country, and it gives rise to political voices on both sides of the issue. But friends, such violence is neither a “gun” issue nor a “mental health” issue! It is a SIN issue!

   The inspired apostle Paul said, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3: 12 – 13) Our world is obviously more wicked now than it was just a few years ago, and by Paul’s statement, things won’t get better in terms of this world’s moral conduct! Yes, with every step “forward” in the realm of “progress” for the world, this same world takes two steps backward from the recognition of GOD and HIS WORD. Why? Read Romans 1: 28 – 32 for the answer!

   But lest we grow despondent regarding this matter, read Paul’s next statement: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3: 14 – 15) Families need to accept their responsibilities of teaching and obeying God’s word in and outside of the home! No crime “just happens.” Evilness is a sin problem! It originates in the heart (mind) of man because of a lack of godliness (Luke 6:45). Likewise, godliness originates in the heart that has been taught the value of truth and righteousness (ibid.) I say again, all this violence is the result of SIN, and sin is the result of godlessness!

   I muse on how to stop such senselessness, and the only answer I can find is GOD. It isn’t a matter of simply praying about it. Like faith, prayer without action on our part is dead being alone (James 2:17). Every family needs to take the time to study, learn, obey, and pray together so that parents and children alike might understand and obey the TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS God orders for our lives, and conduct ourselves accordingly!