“What do we do about it?”
After tragedies such as we experienced play out in Nashville this week, people and pundits naturally gravitate to the question, “What are we going to do about it?” First topic is usually gun control and some sort of suggestion about banning certain types of weapons. Second topic is usually mental health and “flagging” people who seek psychiatric help with the inability to purchase firearms.
Perhaps some of this may have impact. But probably not much.
In this incident, since it was a transgender person at a Christian school, there are those that advocate that since Christians “hate” transgender people that it was understandable the emotional injury this person had would play out against those that instilled it was wrong. People mock the practice of prayer and indicate that praying is obviously worthless because God didn’t protect the six individuals.
Again, these comments miss the mark and lean toward the wrong solution…banning counseling against gender transition…making Christianity the problem etc.
I wondering if situations like this were on Jesus’ mind when he finished his prayer in the upper room:
John 17:25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
The problem?
The world doesn’t know the Father.
With no acknowledgement of the Lord and adherence to his standards or appreciation for his love and grace, the world is becoming a very skewed place. The thought seems to permeate reactions to tragedies is this, “If we just have the right laws we can get rid of death and evil.
The problem is the sinful heart will always be bent on evil, no matter what laws are in place.
The problem is a heart problem.
Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
The problem is a heart which denies God and loves evil.
The solution?
Notice Jesus doesn’t pray for government policies, stricter laws, or tighter security. Jesus prays that people come to know the Father, the work of Jesus Christ, and the love of God. He prays that the love the Father has for him would be in the lives of every individual.
Jesus knows that the only solution and strength to overcome evil is the presence of God’s Spirit and the love of God permeating the hearts of people.
Perhaps laws will have a short term impact and more security at schools will deter evil, but the solution for a heart of evil is a heart covered by the blood of Jesus.
Apply: Notice coverage of various news stories. Do you agree or disagree with the solutions proposed? Would the story line have changed if the people involved knew the Father and were filled with the love of Jesus?
Prayer: Father, make yourself known to us and through us to the world around that hearts bent on evil might be changed to hearts seeking to love you and love others. AMEN.