You don’t have to look far to see signs of distress and brokenness in our country. Churches, homes, schools, and neighborhoods (all places that should be considered safe havens) are now places to be vigilant and on guard. Mass shootings and violent protests, looting and gang wars, and domestic abuse. These are all realities of this fallen world.
But let’s be clear about the origins of these sins.
Murder is not the natural outcome of lenient gun laws.
Violent protests are not suitable retaliation for authority overreach.
Stealing and looting are not appropriate retribution for perceived injustices.
Spousal abuse is not a reasonable response to disagreements.
And a mother’s womb should never become a killing ground for a growing baby, no matter the circumstances surrounding conception.
The repercussions of sin have wreaked havoc upon our generation. But the real danger does not come from “out there.” It comes from within.
“For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools . . . Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind to do what ought not to be done.
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless.
Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things but also approve of those who practice them.”
– Romans 1:21-22, 28-32, emphasis mine
A lack of honoring God and giving thanks to Him has caused us an ocean of heartache. It has led to foolishness and darkness in our hearts and minds leaving our country to become a breeding ground for evil.
Sin is not merely accepted as normal behavior; it has become glamorized and celebrated.
And woe to anyone who stands against it.
Somehow, it has become dangerous to speak the truth. Unlawful to express an opinion that may be contrary or somehow considered offensive to another. Hateful to disagree with the media-driven consensus of minority factions.
How have we come to such an impasse?
Because a growing number of our population has turned its back on God.
Because the minds of men have become depraved, given over to their own evil devices.
Because men have rejected the Light of the World and have chosen to stumble blindly through the darkness.
Because knowing what is right and choosing to disregard it has become the accepted “normal” in this world.
Because in thinking that we are wise, we have become fools.
When everyone does what seems right in their own eyes, it all comes out wrong.
There is only one way to escape this danger, and it is not by isolating yourself from others or passing stricter laws en masse. We already have rules in place, yet violence and abuse continue to occur daily.
The key to disarming danger is found in Romans 12:2 –
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
The perfect will of God is peace and goodwill toward all men. And that only comes from a relationship with the Savior of the world. It only comes by allowing Jesus to transform our hearts and minds and overwhelm us with His love. To fill us with His holiness and create a place for thankfulness and love to take root and grow.
A thankfulness and love for God. And others.
The key to peace is not found in pursuing our own desires. It comes when we acknowledge the Lord.
May we do so as a nation before the repercussions of not doing so destroy us all.
You hit the nail on the head!