Another School shooting, out rage, anger, sadness until the next one, which may be tomorrow.
In our Godless culture we have have sacrificed many things for our perceived needs, wants, desires, 2nd amendment rights ad nauseum.
We continue to sacrifice our youth not only to gun violence but to drugs and many other things.
This weeks "shooter" is sacrificed to mental illness, depression, anger now prison as will undoubtably his parents.
In the most wealthy and blessed nation in history we would rather spend a trillion dollars on a war, our political candidates spend millions and millions on campaigns while there are homeless in the streets, and our social ills run amok.
Yet....
We have become so enamored with power and selfish ambition we would rather debate vaccine mandates and masks than help our mentally ill citizens, feed the poor, help the stranger.
Its not because we lack the resources we lack the will, we lack the compassion, empathy, understanding. We have become proud, stiff necked and arrogant.
The Bible is silent on the issue of guns just like it does not mention computers or any of our current technology. The Bible however does have a lot to say about how we should act when using our weapons and other tools. The issue that any government should control the ownership or use of guns is an ongoing debate. There are many other things s well the government does not regulate the like how many cars we can own, or how many computers or books we can have etc.. Likewise the United States government does not limit the number of guns a person or family can own.
Looking for Exceptions
As with many things in our lives if we don't like what we are told to do we start looking for exceptions to the rule. This started with "The Fall" and you and I continue this trend of sin. We in our pride rationalize we have or are the exception or we look for reasons to claim an exception.
Bottom line is we are stiff necked and rebellious.
The Bible holds government in high regard, as God has made it clear it is He who is responsible for government leaders.
Daniel 2:21
"He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding"
These government leaders help create the laws of the land and Christians are instructed to abide by those laws (Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:13–17). Gun laws are just one among many laws that Christians must or should obey.
In our rebellious time even Christians mock other Christians calling them " Romans 13" Christians if they support the government. Discord is high among Christians or those who claim the faith.
The Right to Defend
The Bible does not condemn a person for carrying a weapons for self-defense. But we do see where people are criticized for lack of being prepared and having weapons.
1 Samuel 13:19–22
19 Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears.” 20 But every one of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, or his sickle, 21 and the charge was two-thirds of a shekel5 for the plowshares and for the mattocks, and a third of a shekel 6 for sharpening the axes and for setting the goads. 22 So on the day of the battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people with Saul and Jonathan, but Saul and Jonathan his son had them.
Even Jesus taught the necessity of self-defense, telling His disciples to be prepared as they departed from Him. He said to bring their moneybags and knapsacks and also said, "And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one" Luke 22:35–38. The disciples said that they had two swords, which Jesus said was enough.
A Culture of Death
Lets start with abortion in which the daily killing of children has been normalized. Lets acknowledge that video games and TV shows and movies that normalize killing ad shooting people is very bad and has lead to many deaths. We talk about the deaths from Covid like its some distant drama that does not matter to us.
Mass killings involving firearms happen approximately every two weeks in the US, whereas school shootings occur monthly on average.
Again just another normal part of life right?
A Culture of Pride & Selfish Ambition
It is a fact people who have regular access to weapons and are often mentally ill.
In my community a large hospital system came in and bought our small local hospital. The mental health unit that helped many of our fellow citizens by allowing them to check into the unit as need was shut down. Why? It did not make enough money. Now they ship people 50 miles or more away to another hospital, therefore many just do not seek help.
As with many things in life this is not a "one issue" solution. Life is complicated, we are complicated. It is not only our disobedience and sin but the fallen world in which we live that seeks our harm and works against our Lord.
Americans in general seem no longer to be concerned about each other. Having said that there are still many who work to help those in need through church and elsewhere.
Powers & Principalities
Principalities and powers are two names or titles given to spiritual forces, along with authorities, and rulers.
The warfare in which we battle throughout our lives is “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Having been saved, we must always struggle to do good things in light of the victory promised in Romans 8.
It is our job to demonstrate to the world and to depend upon the wisdom and power of God in defeating them in our lives. We do this by trusting in God’s power and victory over these worldly powers.
Permissive Rampant Sin
Have you noticed where we pick our fights?
Sexual sin is permitted by our tacet approval of Pornography that make more money that all of social media combined. Where is the outrage over sexual perversion and sin that affects husbands and young men and women?
Where is the outrage over abortion?
You see as a fallen sinful rebellious people we like ancient Israel fall back into sin and sometimes God turns us over to it.
The Idols of Guns & The Worst of Sinners
Have we become so addicted to the thought of the need for Guns, weapons etc. that we just don't care who gets killed by them as long as we possess them? Seems that way does it not?
When then will we put aside our sins and confess and repent? Or have we chosen our path? When will we stop selfishly seeking our own idols and help all those around us?
Has God turned us over to our LUST for weapons?
You and I are the worst of sinners. If we don't know that then we need top pray and seek the Lord's help.
We can default to the standard excuse guns are not the problem, that sinful people are the problem.
Having said that WHAT are we really doing to help and disciple those sinful people around us?